Compositions and methods for treating tumors, fibrosis, and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods useful for modulating angiogenesis and for inhibiting metastasis, tumors, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and fibrosis in a mammalian tissue. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods include inhibitors of LOXL2 expression and activity, such as shRNA targeting LOXL2.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of Israeli Patent Application No. 184627, filed Jul. 15, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Lysyl oxidase (LO or LOX) is a copper containing amine oxidase that oxidizes primary amine substrates to reactive aldehydes. LOX catalyzes oxidative deamination of peptidyl lysine and hydroxylysine residues in collagens, and peptidyl lysine residues in elastin, and aids in the formation of the extracellular matrix. The resulting peptidyl aldehydes typically condense and undergo oxidation reactions to form the lysine-derived covalent cross-links required for the normal structural integrity of the extracellular matrix. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ammonium are usually released in quantities stoichiometric with the peptidyl aldehyde product.

LOX can oxidize certain lysine residues in collagen and elastin outside of the cell; however, it may also act intracellularly, where it may regulate gene expression. In addition, LOX can induce chemotaxis of monocytes, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. LOX itself can be induced by a number of growth factors and steroids such as TGF-β, TNF-α and interferon (Csiszar, Prog. Nucl. Acid Res. 70:1-32 (2001)). LOX has also been implicated in diverse biological functions such as developmental regulation, tumor suppression, cell motility, and cellular senescence. The diverse role of LOX and its recently discovered amino oxidase family members, lysyl oxidase related or lysyl oxidase-like proteins (LOR or LOXL), may play important roles with respect to their intracellular and extracellular localization.

The expression or implication of LOX and LOXL in diseases may also vary. This may be due to a number of reasons, such as the difference in tissue distribution, processing, domains, regulation of activity, as well as other differences between the proteins. For example, LOX and LOXL are implicated in fibrotic diseases as both LOX and LOXL are highly expressed in myo-fibroblasts around fibrotic areas (Kagen, Pathol. Res. Pract. 190:910-919 (1994); Murawaki et al., Hepatology 14:1167-1173 (1991); Siegel et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75: 2945-2949 (1978); Jourdan Le-Saux et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 199:587-592 (1994); Kim et al., J. Cell Biochem. 72:181-188 (1999)). LOX and the various LOXL are also implicated in a number of cancers. For example, LOXL and LOXL4 have been shown to be epigenetically silenced and can inhibit ras/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway in human bladder cancer (Wu et al., Cancer Res. 67:4123-4129 (2007)). Others have shown selective upregulation and amplification of the LOXL4 gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (Gorough et al., J. Pathol. 212:74-82 (2007)). LOX and LOXL2 have also been implicated in a number of tumors, such as colon and esophageal cancers (Csiszar, Prog. Nucl. Acid Res. 70:1-32 (2001)). In breast cancer, LOX and the LOXL family members have been linked to cancer (Kirschmann et al., Cancer Res. 62:448-4483 (2002)).

Thus, there is a need for compositions and methods to modulate LOX and LOXL activity. One such method is through the use of RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi refers to methods of sequence-specific post-transcriptional gene silencing which is mediated by a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) called a short interfering RNA (siRNA). RNAi is an endogenous mechanism that uses small noncoding RNAs to silence gene expression. When an siRNA is introduced into a cell, it binds to the endogenous RNAi machinery to alter the level of mRNA containing complementary sequences with high specificity. The RNAi response involves an endonuclease complex known as the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which mediates cleavage of a single-stranded RNA complementary to the antisense strand of the siRNA duplex. Cleavage of the target RNA takes place in the middle of the region complementary to the antisense strand of the siRNA duplex (Elbashir et al., Genes Dev. 15:188-200, (2001)).

As a result, there is a need for compositions to modulate LOX and LOXL, such as through the use of RNAi. Methods for using such compositions to treat and diagnose conditions are also needed. The present disclosure addresses these needs and provides other advantages as well.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods useful for modulating angiogenesis and fibrosis, and for treating cancer, by inhibiting metastasis and tumors in a subject, such as primary tumors. Moreover, the expression of LOXL2 is correlated with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and as such can be used for accurate diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP).

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising a first sequence hybridizable to a polynucleotide sequence encoding LOXL2 or SEQ ID NO. 2, a second sequence complementary to the first sequence, and a linking sequence that joins the first sequence to the second sequence. The linking sequence can form a hairpin loop structure. The first sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO. 20 or 21. Also provided is an isolated polynucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO. 20 or 21. The isolated polynucleotide can be at least twice the length of SEQ ID NO. 20 or 21. The isolated polynucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO. 20 may further comprise a second sequence complementary to it. Alternatively, the isolated polynucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO. 21 may further comprise a second sequence complementary to it. The isolated polynucleotides comprising SEQ ID NO. 20 or 21 may also comprise a hairpin loop structure. Further provided are expression vectors comprising the isolated polynucleotides as well as host cells comprising the expression vectors.

In another aspect, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polynucleotide comprising a first sequence hybridizable to a polynucleotide sequence encoding LOXL2 or SEQ ID NO. 2, a second sequence complementary to the first sequence, and a linking sequence that joins the first sequence to the second sequence; and, a pharmaceutical excipient, are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polynucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO. 20 or 21; and, a pharmaceutical excipient.

The present disclosure also provides methods of administering the compositions described herein. Methods for inhibiting primary tumor growth, metastasis, fibrosis, or angiogenesis in a subject are also disclosed. The methods can comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of a polynucleotide to inhibit primary tumor growth, metastasis, fibrosis, or angiogenesis in the subject. The polynucleotide can comprise a first sequence hybridizable to a polynucleotide sequence encoding LOXL2 or SEQ ID NO. 2, a second sequence complementary to the first sequence, and a linking sequence that joins the first sequence to the second sequence. The polynucleotide can comprise a linking sequence that forms a hairpin loop structure. The first sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO. 20 or 21. The methods can also encompass administering to a subject a polynucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO. 20 or 21 to inhibit primary tumor growth, metastasis, fibrosis, or angiogenesis in the subject.

Methods for treating PAP in a subject are also provided. The present disclosure provides methods comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent to inhibit PAP, wherein the agent modulates the expression or activity of a lysyl oxidase or lysyl oxidase like protein. Methods for detecting PAP in a subject are also provided, wherein the subject is administered an agent that detects the expression or activity of a lysyl oxidase or lysyl oxidase like protein, wherein the expression or activity is used to diagnose PAP in the subject. The lysyl oxidase level or activity may be that of LOXL2, LOXL3, or both, and the agent used to treat or diagnose PAP can be an antibody, a small molecule, antisense molecule, ribozyme, DNAzyme, triple helix forming oligonucleotides, siRNA, or shRNA. The agent may be an inhibitor of lysyl oxidase or lysyl oxidase like protein, such as LOXL2, LOXL3, or both.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, patent applications and sequences identified by their accession numbers mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, patent application or sequence identified by their accession number was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates LOXL2 shRNA sequences. Each sequence forms a hairpin as the underlined sequences in each are sense/antisense strands. The shRNA are expressed using the pLKO.1-puro vector (available from Sigma) to allow for transient or stable transfection of the shRNA as well as production of lentiviral particles.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating the tumor invasion assay.

FIG. 3 illustrates the expression of LOXL2 in (A) MDA-MDB 231/LM2-4 and HT1080 cancer cells and in (B) MDA-MB 231 breast cancer and YU/PAC2 melanoma cells, infected with lentiviral vectors directing expression of 195 or 197 LOXL2 specific shRNA (also referred to as sh.Loxl2.195 or sh.Loxl2.197, respectively)

FIG. 4 is a microphotograph illustrating the morphological shift in cells infected with lentiviral vectors directing expression of sh.Loxl2.195 or sh.Loxl2.197.

FIG. 5 is (A) a microphotograph illustrating the effect of lentiviral vectors directing expression of sh.Loxl2.195 or sh.Loxl2.197 on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells in the tumor invasion assay. (B) is a Western blot showing the knockdown of LOXL2 expression and (C) show the number of invading cells per field.

FIG. 6 is a photomicrograph illustrating the expression of LOXL2 and LOXL3 in normal and PAP lung tissue.

FIG. 7 illustrates rhodamine phalloidin staining of MDA-231 cells. (A) Wild type MDA-231 cells and control-infected lentiviral stable MDA-231 cells with phalloidin staining of F-actin reveal long fibrils typical of a cell that has undergone epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). (B) MDA-231 cells infected with sh.Loxl2.195 are depleted for LOXL2 and revealed a “rim” effect near the cell membrane, more typical of a normal epithelial cell.

FIG. 8 illustrates primary tumor development in mice injected with MDA-231 si-control (si-c) or sh.Loxl2.195 (si-195) cells. MDA-231 cells were infected with control shRNA encoding lentivirus or lentivirus vector expressing sh.Loxl2.195. The cells were selected with puromycin and Loxl2 expression determined prior to injection into the mammary fat pads of balb/c nu/nu female mice. (A) Tumor volume was measured 6, 11, 14, 18, 22, 25, and 27 days after injection. (B) illustrates tumor weight from MDA-231 si-cont vs. sh.Loxl2.195 (si-195) mice 27 days after injection.

FIG. 9 illustrates genes in cancer cells affected by LOXL2 overexpression or inhibition of Loxl2 expression. (A) Genes upregulated in MCF-7 cells overexpressing recombinant LOXL2. Gene expression was measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cells were transfected with a tetracycline-regulated construct expressing LOXL2 (clones 12 and 14), control lentiviral vector containing a non-related shRNA (WT), or a mutant of LOXL2 that is enzymatically inactive due to a mutation in its LTQ motif (Y689F). (B) Infection with lentivirus directed expression of shRNA directed against Loxl2. C=control shRNA, L2=sh.Loxl2.195

FIG. 10 illustrates expression of LOXL2 is enhanced by hypoxia. (A) Cells were incubated in a hypoxia chamber. Control was incubated in normoxic conditions (regular incubator). RNA was prepared from the cells at the end of the experiment and amplified by RT-PCR. PC=cells expressing recombinant LOXL2, NC=PCR without RT. (B) LOXL2 levels were assessed by Western blot. Cells were stimulated for the indicated times with the indicated concentration of CoCl₂. Equal concentrations of cell lysates were prepared with lysis buffer. Cell lysates were separated on a gradient SDS/PAGE gel, blotted and probed with our anti-LOXL2 antibodies. Membranes were stripped and reprobed with an antibody directed against β-actin to verify equal loading.

FIG. 11 illustrates expression of a cell surface bound LOXL2 receptor in human umbilical vein derived endothelial cells (HUVEC). (A) LOXL2 was iodinated and four different cell lines were tested for their specific binding to LOXL2. Iodinated LOXL2 was added to each well and competition was done with unlabeled LOXL2. (B) LOXL2 does not bind specifically to gelatin, laminin or fibronectin. Iodinated LOXL2 was added to each well and competition was done with unlabeled LOXL2. There was no specific binding demonstrating the binding observed to the cells is not caused by binding to the ECM components fibronectin, laminin, or gelatin. (C) Iodinated LOXL2 was added to each well and competition was done with unlabeled LOXL2. In the absence or addition of 100 ug/ml heparin (heparin does not inhibit the binding) or after prior digestion with heparinase (does not affect the binding to the putative receptor).

FIG. 12 illustrates expression of LOXL2 and LOXL3 in neuronal cells of the central nervous system (CNS). In-situ hybridization on tissue sections from normal human brain cortex was performed using probes directed at LOX, LOXL1, LOXL2, or LOXL3. S=sense, as=antisense.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles and operation of the present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying description. It is to be understood that disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings described in the Examples section. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods that can be used to modulate angiogenesis and to inhibit tumor growth, tumor invasiveness and tumor fibrosis. For example, the present disclosure can be used to suppress tumor growth and metastasis as well as to treat and diagnose disorders such as, for example, arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, vasculitis and PAP.

The innovative methods and compositions described include the use of an inhibitor of LOX or LOXL, such as agents that inhibit LOXL2. An example of LOX or LOXL include the enzyme having an amino acid sequence substantially identical to a polypeptide expressed or translated from one of the following sequences: EMBL/GenBank accessions: M94054; AAA59525.1—mRNA; S45875; AAB23549.1—mRNA; S78694; AAB21243.1—mRNA; AF039291; AAD02130.1—mRNA; BC074820; AAH74820.1—mRNA; BC074872; AAH74872.1—mRNA; M84150; AAA59541.1—Genomic DNA. Particular examples of LOXL are described in Molnar et al., Biochim Biophys Acta. 1647: 220-24 (2003); Csiszar, Prog. Nucl. Acid Res. 70:1-32 (2001); and in WO 01/83702. (It is noted that in these 3 publications, “LOXL1” was referred to as “LOXL” whereas in the present invention “LOXL” is referred to a lysyl oxidase-like protein in general, not just LOXL1.) These enzymes include LOXL1, encoded by mRNA deposited at GenBank/EMBL BC015090; AAH15090.1; LOXL2, encoded by mRNA deposited at GenBank/EMBL U89942; LOXL3, encoded by mRNA deposited at GenBank/EMBL AF282619; AAK51671.1; and LOXL4, encoded by mRNA deposited at GenBank/EMBL AF338441; AAK71934.1.

LOX or LOXL also encompasses a functional fragment or a derivative that still substantially retains its enzymatic activity catalyzing the deamination of lysyl residues. Typically, a functional fragment or derivative retains at least 50% of its lysyl oxidase activity. A functional fragment or derivative can retain at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or 100% of its lysyl oxidase activity. A LOX or LOXL can include conservative amino acid substitutions that do not substantially alter its activity. Suitable conservative substitutions of amino acids are known to those of skill in this art and may be made generally without altering the biological activity of the resulting molecule. Those of skill in this art recognize that, in general, single amino acid substitutions in non-essential regions of a polypeptide do not substantially alter biological activity.

Inhibitors used may include inhibitors of the lysyl oxidase family of enzymes which catalyze the formation of covalent crosslinks between lysine residues on adjacent collagen or elastin fibrils. At least five different lysyl oxidases are known to exist in both humans and mice, LOX and four LOX related, or LOX-like proteins: LOXL1 (or LOL), LOXL2 (or LOR-1), LOXL3 (or LOR-2), and LOXL4 (or Lox-C). The five forms of lysyl oxidases reside on five different chromosomes. These family members show some overlap in structure and function, but appear to have distinct functions as well. For example, LOX appears to be lethal at parturition in mice (Hornstra et al., J. Biol. Chem. 278:14387-14393 (2003)), whereas LOXL deficiency causes no severe developmental phenotype (Bronson et al., Neurosci. Lett. 390:118-122 (2005)). The lysyl oxidase family includes four genes, such as those with SEQ ID NOs. 1, 4, 5, or 7, or enzymes with the amino acid sequences in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 6, 8, or 9.

LOX has highly conserved protein domains, conserved in several species including human, mouse, rat, chicken, fish and Drosophila. The human LOX family has a highly conserved C-terminal region containing the 205 amino acid LOX catalytic domain. The conserved region contains the copper binding (Cu), cytokine receptor like domain (CRL), and the lysyl-tyrosylquinone cofactor site (LTQ). Twelve cysteine residues are also similarly conserved, two being present in the prepropeptide region and ten in the catalytically active processed form of LOX (Csiszar, Prog. Nucl. Acid Res. 70:1-32 (2001)).

The prepropeptide region of LOX contains a signal peptide that is cleaved. The cleavage site is predicted to be between Cys21-Ala22, generating a 16 (or 21) signal sequence and a 48 kDa amino acid propeptide form of LOX, which is, without being bound by theory, still inactive. Without being limited by theory, the propeptide is N-glycosylated during passage through the Golgi yielding a 50 kDa inactive proenzyme that is secreted into the extracellular environment where the proenzyme, or propeptide, is cleaved between Gly168-Asp169 by a metalloendoprotease, a procollagen C-proteinase, which are products of the Bmp1, Tll1 and Tll2 genes. BMP I (bone morphogenetic protein I) is a procollagen C-proteinase that processes the propeptide to yield a functional 30 kDa enzyme and an 18 kDa propeptide. The sequence coding for the propeptide is typically moderately (approximately 60-70%) conserved, whereas the sequence coding for the C-terminal 30 kDa region of the proenzyme in which the active site is located is usually highly conserved (approximately 95%). (Kagan and Li, J. Cell. Biochem. 88:660-672 (2003); Kagan et al., J. Cell Biochem. 59:329-38 (1995)). The N-glycosyl units are usually subsequently removed.

Similar potential signal peptides have been predicted at the amino termini of LOXL, LOXL2, LOXL3, and LOXL4. The predicted signal cleavage sites are between Gly25-Gln26 for LOXL, between Ala25-Gln26, for LOXL2, and between Gly25-Ser26 for LOXL3. The consensus for BMP-1 cleavage in procollagens and pro-LOX is between Ala/Gly-Asp, and often followed by an acidic or charged residue. A potential cleavage site to generate active LOXL is Gly303-Asp304, however, it is then followed by an atypical Pro. LOXL3 also has a potential cleavage site at Gly44y-Asp448, which is followed by an Asp, processing at this site may yield an active peptide of similar size to active LOX. A potential cleavage site of BMP-1 was also identified within LOXL4, at residues Ala569-Asp570 (Kim et al., J. Biol. Chem. 278:52071-52074 (2003)). LOXL2 protein may also be processed analogously to the other LOX family members.

A feature that may differ amongst the lysyl oxidases and lysyl oxidase like proteins is the scavenger receptor cysteine rich (SRCR) domains. LOX and LOXL appear to lack SRCR domains, whereas LOXL2, LOXL3, and LOXL4 each have four SRCR domains at the N-terminus. SRCR domains mediate ligand binding in a number of secreted and receptor proteins (Hoheneste et al., Nat. Struct. Biol. 6: 228-232 (1999); Sasaki et al., EMBO J. 17:1606-1613 (1998)). Another domain that appears to be unique to LOXL is the presence of a proline rich domain (Molnar et al., Biochimica Biophysica Acta 1647: 220-224 (2003)).

Tissue distribution may also differ amongst LOX and the various LOXL. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, LOXL2 and LOXL3 are highly expressed in neuronal cells, whereas LOX and LOXL1 are not. Thus, in one aspect, the present disclosure encompasses modulating expression of LOX or LOXL in the CNS, such as in the brain, or more specifically in neuronal cells.

Each member of the LOX family of enzymes includes a highly conserved lysyl oxidase domain, the activity of which is highly dependent on the presence of copper. Removal of copper from tumor tissues leads to inhibition of angiogenesis (Rabinovitz, J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 91:1689-1690 (1999); Yoshida et al., Neurosurgery 37: 287-292 (1995)). This further substantiates the role of the lysyl oxidase family of enzymes in angiogenesis as, without being bound by theory, removal of copper leads to inhibition of lysyl oxidases.

Further support to the angiogenic activity of lysyl oxidases is provided by the PF4-LOXL2 binding assays. PF4 is an inhibitor of angiogenesis. As such, the anti-angiogenic activity exhibited by PF4 may be, without being limited by theory, effected through LOXL2 inhibition, which is highly expressed in the endothelial cells lining blood vessels. Thus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, methods of modulating angiogenesis are provided.

Angiogenesis

In an adult, formation of new blood vessels in normal or diseased tissues is typically regulated by two processes, recapitulated vasculogenesis (the transformation of pre-existing arterioles into small muscular arteries) and angiogenesis, the sprouting of existing blood vessels (which occurs both in the embryo and in the adult). Furthermore, LOXL2 expression is induced under hypoxic conditions (FIG. 10), as angiogenesis is thought to be spurred in cancers to overcome hypoxic conditions.

The process of angiogenesis is regulated by biomechanical and biochemical stimuli. Angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are released by vascular cells, macrophages, and cells surrounding blood vessels. These angiogenic factors activate specific proteases that are involved in degradation of the basement membrane. As a result of this degradation, vascular cells migrate and proliferate thus leading to new blood vessel formation. Peri-endothelial cells, such as pericytes in the capillaries, smooth muscle cells in larger vessels and cardiac myocytes in the heart are recruited to provide maintenance and modulatory functions to the forming vessel.

The establishment and remodeling of blood vessels is controlled by paracrine signals, many of which are mediated by protein ligands which modulate the activity of transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors. Among these molecules are vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor families (VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, neuropilin-1 and neuropilin-2), Angiopoietins 1-4 (Ang-1, Ang-2 etc.) and their respective receptors (Tie-1 and Tie-2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β).

The growth of solid tumors is limited by the availability of nutrients and oxygen. When cells within solid tumors start to produce angiogenic factors or when the levels of angiogenesis inhibitors decline, the balance between anti-angiogenic and angiogenic influences is perturbed, initiating the growth of new blood vessels from the existing vascular bed into the tumor. This event in tumor progression is known as the angiogenic switch. Inhibitors of tumor angiogenesis are able to inhibit tumor growth in mice, in some cases, it appears to completely inhibit tumor growth and also inhibit tumor metastasis, a process that relies upon close contact between the vasculature and tumor cells. Angiogenesis plays an important role in the progression of breast cancer.

Such findings have prompted the use of known anti-angiogenic factors in breast cancer therapy (Klauber et al., Cancer Res. 57:81-86 (1997); Harris et al., Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 38, 97-108 (1996); Weinstatsaslow et al., Cancer Res. 54:6504-6511 (1994)). During the past decade several novel inhibitors of angiogenesis have been isolated including inhibitors of VEGF signaling (Neufeld et al., FASEB J. 13:9-22 (1999)) and inhibitors of processes which lead to the maturation and stabilization of new blood vessels. Anti-integrin antibodies have been used as inhibitors of blood vessel maturation (Brooks et al., Cell 79:1157-1164 (1994); Brooks et al., Cell 92:391-400 (1998)).

Although several anti-angiogenic drugs are now available commercially, the anti-angiogenic mechanisms of most of these drugs (e.g., angiostatin and endostatin) remain unclear (O'Reilly et al., Cell 88: 277-285 (1997); O'Reilly et al., Nature Med. 2:689-692 (1996)). Since angiogenesis can be initiated by many (possibly compensatory) angiogenic factors, anti-angiogenic factors which target later processes in the angiogenic response such as vessel maturation or a combination of anti-angiogenic factors are likely to be effective in arresting vessel formation.

Platelet factor-4 (PF4) is an anti-angiogenic protein normally sequestered in platelets (Tanaka et al., Nature Med. 3:437-442 (1997); Maione et al., Science 247:77-79 (1990); Neufeld et al., The Cytokine Reference: A compendium of cytokines and other mediators of host defense (Oppenheim, J. J. and Feldmann, M. eds) Academic Press (2000)). PF4 inhibits angiogenesis using poorly defined mechanisms (Gengrinovitch et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270:15059-15065 (1995); Brown and Parish, Biochemistry 33:13918-13927 (1994); Gupta and Singh, J. Cell Biol. 127:1121-1127 (1994); Watson et al., J. Clin. Invest. 94: 261-268 (1994)). It was previously speculated that PF4 binds to cell surface heparan-sulfate proteoglycans and in this manner inhibits the activity of angiogenic growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (Watson et al., J. Clin. Invest. 94: 261-268 (1994)).

For example, the compositions and methods described in the present disclosure can be used to suppress tumor growth by inhibiting angiogenesis, or by directly inhibiting tumor growth (such as primary tumor growth), suppressing metastasis, as well as to treat and diagnose disorders such as, for example, arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis and vasculitis and primary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Metastatic and Primary Tumors

The prevention, reduction, and diagnosis of tumors are important in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The transition from a localized tumor to an invasive and metastatic tumor represents a landmark in the development of malignant disease, since it is usually associated with a markedly worse prognosis. The understanding of the processes that govern this transition is therefore of prime importance, and LOX and LOXL roles in these processes can be used to not only further understanding of this process, but also be used to treat, prevent, or diagnosis primary and metastatic tumors.

For example, LOXL2 expression can be decreased in breast cancer cells, melanoma cells and fibrosarcoma cells using shRNA or siRNA (FIGS. 3, 5B). Administration of shRNA or siRNA targeting LOXL2 led to an EMT to MET like transition (FIG. 4, FIG. 7) as well as decrease in cell invasion (FIG. 5), further supporting the role of LOXL2 in tumor metastasis, and by modulating LOXL2 expression can aid in inhibiting metastatic activity. Inhibition of LOXL2 can also be used in inhibiting tumor growth and reducing primary tumors. Tumor growth inhibition can be preventative. Alternatively, inhibition of primary tumor growth can be a reduction of tumor mass, for example, tumor mass can be reduced compared to size or volume of tumor when initially detected. The inhibition can be in the rate of growth of the primary tumor, for example, the primary tumor mass or volume increases at a slower rate in comparison to a subject not treated with compositions disclosed herein, for example, as shown in FIG. 8.

Breast Cancer

In breast cancer, the transition from a localized to an invasive/metastatic tumor is associated in many cases with the formation of fibrotic foci and desmoplasia, which is the presence of unusually dense collagenous stroma, within the primary tumor (Colpaert et al., Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 25, 1557 (2001); Hasebe et al., Pathology International 50: 263-272 (2000)). A similar correlation may exist in other types of cancers such as colon and pancreatic cancers (Nishimura et al., Virchows Arch. 433:517-522 (1998); Ellenrieder et al., Int. J. Cancer 85:14-20 (2000)). These observations represent apparent paradoxes at first glance, since invasiveness has long been associated with the destruction of extracellular matrix by extracellular matrix degrading enzymes like metalo-proteases (Stamenkovic, Semin. Cancer Biol. 10:415-433 (2000); Duffy et al., Breast Cancer Res. 2: 252-257 (2000)) and heparanase (Vlodaysky and Friedmann, J. Clin. Invest 108:341-347 (2001)). However, it is possible that deposition of excess extracellular matrix may stimulate in turn expression of matrix degrading enzymes that will contribute under certain circumstances to tumor invasion. In fact, there is some evidence that an increase in extracellular matrix deposition can indeed influence the production of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes (Schuppan et al., Semin. Liver Dis. 21:351-372 (2001); Swada et al., Int. J. Oncol. 19:65-70 (2001)).

Colon Cancer

Cancer of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, especially colon cancer, is a highly treatable and often a curable disease when localized to the bowel. Surgery is the primary treatment and results in cure in approximately 50% of patients. Recurrence following surgery is a major problem and often is the ultimate cause of death. Nearly all cases of colorectal cancer arise from adenomatous polyps, some of which mature into large polyps, undergo abnormal growth and development, and ultimately progress into cancer. This progression would appear to take at least 10 years in most patients, rendering it a readily treatable form of cancer if diagnosed early, when the cancer is localized.

The standard procedures currently used for establishing a definitive diagnosis for a GI tract cancer include barium studies, endoscopy, biopsy, and computed tomography (Brennan et al., Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, Fourth Edition, pp. 849-882, Philadelphia, Pa.: J. B. Lippincott Co. (1993)).

The prognosis of colon cancer is typically related to the degree of penetration of the tumor through the bowel wall and the presence or absence of nodal involvement. These two characteristics usually form the basis for staging systems developed for this disease. Staging is usually performed by a pathologist on tissue sections obtained via biopsy and/or surgery and it aims to determine the anatomic extent of the disease. Accurate staging is critical for predicting patient outcome and providing criteria for designing optimal therapy. Inaccurate staging can result in poor therapeutic decisions and is a major clinical problem in colon cancer.

Primary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP)

PAP is a rare lung disorder of unknown etiology characterized by alveolar filling with floccular material that stains positive using the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) method and is derived from surfactant phospholipids and protein components. LOXL2 and LOXL3 are likely to have a role in PAP as both are expressed in PAP tissue, but not normal lung tissue (FIG. 6)

Two forms are recognized, (1) primary (idiopathic) and (2) secondary (due to lung infections; hematologic malignancies; and inhalation of mineral dusts such as silica, titanium oxide, aluminum, and insecticides). Incidence of PAP is increased in patients with hematologic malignancies and AIDS, suggesting a relationship with immune dysfunction.

The alveoli in PAP are filled with proteinaceous material, which has been analyzed extensively and determined to be normal surfactant composed of lipids and surfactant-associated proteins A, B, C, and D (SP-A, SP-C, SP-D). Evidence exists of a defect in the homeostatic mechanism of either the production of surfactant or the clearance by alveolar macrophages and the mucociliary elevator. A clear relationship has been demonstrated between PAP and impaired macrophage maturation.

PAP has an estimated prevalence of 1 case per 100,000 population, and mortality rates of as high as 30% within several years of disease onset have been reported previously. The actual mortality rate may be less than 10%. Incidence for males is 4 times higher than for females. Patients are typically 20-50 years old at presentation.

Patients with PAP typically present with a gradual onset of symptoms. As many as 30% of patients are asymptomatic, even with diffuse chest radiograph (CXR) abnormalities. Symptoms can include the following: persistent dry cough (or scant sputum production), progressive dyspnea, fatigue and malaise, weight loss, intermittent low-grade fever and/or night sweats, pleuritic chest pain, cyanosis, and hemoptysis.

The etiology of PAP is unknown. Causes may include inhalation of silica dust (acute silicoproteinosis), exposure to insecticides, aluminum dust, titanium dioxide, and other inorganic dusts, hematologic malignancies, myeloid disorders, lysinuric protein intolerance, HIV infection (AIDS), leflunomide-case report and disease-modifying antirheumatoid arthritis therapy. Differentials may include hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, oat cell lung cancer (Small Cell), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, pulmonary edema and cardiogenic sarcoidosis. The diagnosis can be made by lavage, if PAS staining is requested. Therefore, PAP is probably underdiagnosed.

Lung biopsies are classically used in diagnosing for PAP: Alveoli are filled with nonfoamy material. Transbronchial biopsies are adequate, and open lung biopsy is not required.

Management of PAP depends on the progression of the illness, coexisting infections, and degree of physiological impairment. The standard of care for PAP is mechanical removal of the lipoproteinaceous material by whole-lung lavage, which is often repeated. Historically, patients have been treated with systemic steroids, mucolytics (aerosol), and proteinase (aerosol) without much success. In secondary PAP, appropriate treatment of the underlying cause also is warranted. GM-CSF has been shown to improve PAP in several patients and is being investigated. Congenital PAP responds favorably to lung transplantation.

Lung transplantation is the treatment of choice in patients with congenital PAP and in adult patients with end-stage interstitial fibrosis and cor pulmonale. The major complications are lung infections with N asteroides, Pneumocystis carinii, and/or Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare. Pulmonary fibrosis and/or cor pulmonale also can complicate PAP.

Thus, to increase the accuracy of therapy and the survival rate of PAP patients there is a need to develop accurate methods of diagnosing and treatment of PAP, and the compositions and methods described herein can be used in diagnosing and treating PAP.

Methods and Compositions

The methods described herein are effected by administering to a subject a pharmaceutical compositions comprising a molecule capable of modifying a tissue level and/or activity of at least one type of LOX to thereby modulate angiogenesis in the mammalian tissue. Administration may be into a mammalian tissue. Modifying the tissue level and/or activity of at least one type of LOX or LOXL can modulate angiogenesis, primary tumor development, tumor metastasis and/or PAP. Expression level or activity of the LOX or LOXL can also be detected and used to diagnose a condition, such as PAP.

As used herein, the phrase “tissue level” refers to the level of LOX or LOXL protein present in the tissue at a given time point. At times, it may be advantageous to measure tissue levels of the active forms of LOX or LOXL. Protein levels are determined by factors such as, transcription and/or translation rates, RNA or protein turnover and/or protein localization within the cell. As such any molecule which effects any of these factors can modify the tissue level of LOX or LOXL.

As used herein the term “activity” refers to an enzymatic activity of LOX or LOXL. A molecule which can modify the enzymatic activity may directly or indirectly alter substrate specificity of the enzyme or activity of the catalytic site thereof.

There are numerous examples of compositions that can comprise molecules which can specifically modify the tissue level and/or activity of a lysyl oxidase. Such molecules can be categorized into lysyl oxidase “downregulators” or “upregulators.”

Downregulators

One example of an agent capable of downregulating a lysyl oxidase protein is an antibody or antibody fragment capable of specifically binding lysyl oxidase or at least part of the lysyl oxidase protein (e.g., region spanning the catalytic site) and inhibiting its activity when introduced into the mammalian tissue. As such, an antibody or an antibody fragment directed at a lysyl oxidase can be used to suppress or arrest the formation of blood vessels, and to inhibit tumor fibrosis and metastasis.

The antibody can specifically bind to at least one epitope of LOX or LOXL. As used herein, the term “epitope” refers to any antigenic determinant on an antigen to which the paratope of an antibody binds.

Epitopic determinants usually consist of chemically active surface groupings of molecules such as amino acids or carbohydrate side chains and usually have specific three-dimensional structural characteristics, as well as specific charge characteristics.

As used herein, the term “antibody” includes intact molecules as well as functional fragments thereof, such as Fab, F(ab′)₂, and Fv that are capable of binding to macrophages. These functional antibody fragments are defined as follows: (1) Fab, the fragment which contains a monovalent antigen-binding fragment of an antibody molecule, can be produced by digestion of whole antibody with the enzyme papain to yield an intact light chain and a portion of one heavy chain; (2) Fab′, the fragment of an antibody molecule that can be obtained by treating whole antibody with pepsin, followed by reduction, to yield an intact light chain and a portion of the heavy chain; two Fab′ fragments are obtained per antibody molecule; (3) (Fab′)₂, the fragment of the antibody that can be obtained by treating whole antibody with the enzyme pepsin without subsequent reduction; F(ab′)₂ is a dimer of two Fab′ fragments held together by two disulfide bonds; (4) Fv, defined as a genetically engineered fragment containing the variable region of the light chain and the variable region of the heavy chain expressed as two chains; and (5) Single chain antibody (“SCA”), a genetically engineered molecule containing the variable region of the light chain and the variable region of the heavy chain, linked by a suitable polypeptide linker as a genetically fused single chain molecule.

Methods of producing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies as well as fragments thereof are well known in the art (See for example, Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York 1988).

Antibody fragments according to the present disclosure can be prepared by proteolytic hydrolysis of the antibody or by expression in E. coli or mammalian cells (such as in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture or other protein expression systems) of DNA encoding the fragment. Antibody fragments can be obtained by pepsin or papain digestion of whole antibodies by conventional methods. For example, antibody fragments can be produced by enzymatic cleavage of antibodies with pepsin to provide a 5S fragment denoted F(ab′)₂. This fragment can be further cleaved using a thiol reducing agent, and optionally a blocking group for the sulfhydryl groups resulting from cleavage of disulfide linkages, to produce 3.5S Fab′ monovalent fragments. Alternatively, an enzymatic cleavage using pepsin produces two monovalent Fab′ fragments and an Fc fragment directly. These methods are described, for example, by Porter, Biochem. J. 73:119-126 (1959), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,036,945 and 4,331,647, and references contained therein. Other methods of cleaving antibodies, such as separation of heavy chains to form monovalent light-heavy chain fragments, further cleavage of fragments, or other enzymatic, chemical, or genetic techniques may also be used, so long as the fragments bind to the antigen that is recognized by the intact antibody.

Fv fragments comprise an association of VH and VL chains. This association may be noncovalent, as described in Inbar et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 69-2659-62 (1972). Alternatively, the variable chains can be linked by an intermolecular disulfide bond or cross-linked by chemicals such as glutaraldehyde. The Fv fragments can comprise VH and VL chains connected by a peptide linker. These single-chain antigen binding proteins (sFv) can be prepared by constructing a structural gene comprising DNA sequences encoding the VH and VL domains connected by an oligonucleotide. The structural gene is inserted into an expression vector, which is subsequently introduced into a host cell such as E. coli. The recombinant host cells synthesize a single polypeptide chain with a linker peptide bridging the two V domains. Methods for producing sFvs are described, for example, by Whitlow and Filpula, Methods 2:97-105 (1991); Bird et al., Science 242:423-426 (1988); Pack et al., Bio/Technology 11:1271-77 (1993); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778.

Another form of an antibody fragment is a peptide coding for a single complementarity-determining region (CDR). CDR peptides (“minimal recognition units”) can be obtained by constructing genes encoding the CDR of an antibody of interest. Such genes are prepared, for example, by using the polymerase chain reaction to synthesize the variable region from RNA of antibody-producing cells, for example, as described in Larrick and Fry, Methods, 2:106-10 (1991).

Humanized forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimeric molecules of immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂ or other antigen-binding subsequences of antibodies), which contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. Humanized antibodies include human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues form a CDR of the recipient are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Humanized antibodies may also comprise residues which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences. In general, the humanized antibody comprises substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. The humanized antibody optimally can also comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin (Jones et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature, 332:323-329 (1988); Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol., 2:593-596 (1992)).

Methods for humanizing non-human antibodies are well known in the art. Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid residues introduced into it from a source which is non-human. These non-human amino acid residues are often referred to as import residues, which are typically taken from an import variable domain. Humanization can be essentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers (Jones et al., Nature, 321: 522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332: 323-327 (1988); Verhoeyen et al., Science, 239: 1534-1536 (1988)), by substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such humanized antibodies are chimeric antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), wherein substantially less than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human species. In practice, humanized antibodies are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues and possibly some FR residues are substituted by residues from analogous sites in rodent antibodies.

Human antibodies can also be produced using various techniques known in the art, including phage display libraries (Hoogenboom and Winter, J. Mol. Biol., 227:381-388 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597 (1991)). The techniques of Cole et al. and Boerner et al. are also available for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies (Cole et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, p. 77 (1985); Boerner et al., J. Immunol., 147:86-95 (1991)). Similarly, human antibodies can be made by introduction of human immunoglobulin loci into transgenic animals, e.g., mice in which the endogenous immunoglobulin genes have been partially or completely inactivated. Upon challenge, human antibody production is observed, which closely resembles that seen in humans in all respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly, and antibody repertoire. This approach is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,661,016, and in the following scientific publications: Marks et al., Bio/Technology 10:779-783 (1992); Lonberg et al., Nature 368:856-859 (1994); Morrison, Nature 368:812-13 (1994); Fishwild et al., Nature Biotechnology 14:845-851 (1996); Neuberger, Nature Biotechnology 14:826 (1996); and Lonberg and Huszar, Intern. Rev. Immunol. 13:65-93 (1995).

As is described below, various approaches can be used to reduce or abolish transcription or translation of a lysyl oxidase.

Polynucleotides

One approach is the use of polynucleotides to downregulate the expression or activity of LOX or LOXL. “Polynucleotide,” “nucleotide,” “nucleic acid,” and “oligonucleotide” are used interchangeably herein. They refer to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, or analogs thereof. Polynucleotides may have any three-dimensional structure, and may perform any function, known or unknown. The following are non-limiting examples of polynucleotides: coding or non-coding regions of a gene or gene fragment, loci (locus) defined from linkage analysis, exons, introns, messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, ribozymes, cDNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, isolated DNA of any sequence, isolated RNA of any sequence, nucleic acid probes, and primers. A polynucleotide may comprise modified nucleotides, such as methylated nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. If present, modifications to the nucleotide structure may be imparted before or after assembly of the polymer. The sequence of nucleotides may be interrupted by non-nucleotide components. A polynucleotide may be further modified after polymerization, such as by conjugation with a labeling component. An oligonucleotide may be isolated, such that the oligonucleotide is separated from other constituents, cellular and otherwise, that in nature is normally associated with the polynucleotide, peptide, polypeptide, protein, antibody, or fragments thereof.

Modified polynucleotides may be used in the present invention. Modified polynucleotides can have improved half-life and/or membrane penetration. A large number of variations in polynucleotide backbones are known in the arts. Oligonucleotides can be modified either in the base, the sugar or the phosphate moiety. These modifications include, for example, the use of methylphosphonates, monothiophosphates, dithiophosphates, phosphoramidates, phosphate esters, bridged phosphorothioates, bridged phosphoramidates, bridged methylenephosphonates, dephospho internucleotide analogs with siloxane bridges, carbonate bridges, carboxymethyl ester bridges, carbonate bridges, carboxymethyl ester bridges, acetamide bridges, carbamate bridges, thioether bridges, sulfoxy bridges, sulfono bridges, various “plastic” DNAs, anomeric bridges and borane derivatives, such as in Cook, Anti-Cancer Drug Design 6: 585 (1991).

International patent application WO 89/12060 discloses various building blocks for synthesizing oligonucleotide analogs, as well as oligonucleotide analogs formed by joining such building blocks in a defined sequence. The building blocks may be either “rigid” (i.e., containing a ring structure) or “flexible” (i.e., lacking a ring structure). In both cases, the building blocks contain a hydroxy group and a mercapto group, through which the building blocks are said to join to form oligonucleotide analogs. The linking moiety in the oligonucleotide analogs is selected from the group consisting of sulfide (—S—), sulfoxide (—SO—), and sulfone (—SO2-).

International patent application WO 92/20702 describes an acyclic oligonucleotide which includes a peptide backbone on which any selected chemical nucleobases or analogs are stringed and serve as coding characters as they do in natural DNA or RNA. These new compounds, known as peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), are not only more stable in cells than their natural counterparts, but also bind natural DNA and RNA 50 to 100 times more tightly than the natural nucleic acids cling to each other. PNA oligomers can be synthesized from the four protected monomers containing thymine, cytosine, adenine and guanine by Merrifield solid-phase peptide synthesis. In order to increase solubility in water and to prevent aggregation, a lysine amide group can be placed at the C-terminal region.

A linear sequence or sequence is an order of nucleotides in a polynucleotide in a 5′ to 3′ direction in which residues that neighbor each other in the sequence are contiguous in the primary structure of the polynucleotide. A partial sequence is a linear sequence of part of a polynucleotide that is known to comprise additional residues in one or both directions.

A linear sequence of nucleotides is identical to another linear sequence, if the order of nucleotides in each sequence is the same, and occurs without substitution, deletion, or material substitution. It is understood that purine and pyrimidine nitrogenous bases with similar structures can be functionally equivalent in terms of Watson-Crick base-pairing; and the inter-substitution of like nitrogenous bases, particularly uracil and thymine, or the modification of nitrogenous bases, such as by methylation, does not constitute a material substitution. An RNA and a DNA polynucleotide have identical sequences when the sequence for the RNA reflects the order of nitrogenous bases in the polyribonucleotides, the sequence for the DNA reflects the order of nitrogenous bases in the polydeoxyribonucleotides, and the two sequences satisfy the other requirements of this definition. Where one or both of the polynucleotides being compared is double-stranded, the sequences are identical if one strand of the first polynucleotide is identical with one strand of the second polynucleotide.

A vector may comprise the polynucleotides of the present invention. The vector, a nucleic acid molecule that is typically self-replicating, transfers an inserted nucleic acid molecule into and/or between host cells. Vectors include those that function primarily for insertion of DNA or RNA into a cell, replication of vectors that function primarily for the replication of DNA or RNA, and expression vectors that function for transcription and/or translation of the DNA or RNA. Also included are vectors that provide more than one of the above functions. An expression vector is a polynucleotide which, when introduced into an appropriate host cell, can be transcribed and translated into a polypeptide(s). An expression system usually connotes a suitable host cell comprised of an expression vector that can function to yield a desired expression product

Host cells into which a vector or polynucleotide of the invention, e.g., an expression vector, or an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention has been introduced, refers not only to the particular cell but also to the progeny or potential progeny of such a cell. A host cell can be any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. For example, host cells can include bacterial cells such as E. coli, insect cells, yeast cells, or mammalian cells (such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) or COS cells). Other suitable host cells are known to those skilled in the art. Many methods for introducing nucleic acids into host cells, both in vivo and in vitro, are well known to those skilled in the art and include, without limitation, calcium phosphate precipitation, electroporation, heat shock, lipofection, microinjection, and viral-mediated nucleic acid transfer. Delivery strategies are described in Luft, J. Mol. Med. 76:75-76 (1998); Kronenwett et al., Blood 91:852-862 (1998); Rajur et al., Bioconjug. Chem. 8:935-940 (1997); Lavigne et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 237:566-571 (1997) and Aoki et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 231:540-545 (1997). Delivery of the polynucleotides of the present invention can also be to subjects, including mammals. For example, polynucleotides of the present invention can be delivered or administered to mammalian tissues.

Polynucleotides of the present invention includes antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, DNAzymes, siRNA molecules including shRNA, and triple helix forming oligonucleotides, to downregulate the expression or activity of one or more lysyl oxidase.

Antisense Polynucleotides

According to one aspect, downregulation of LOX or LOXL levels or activity can be effected using an antisense polynucleotide capable of specifically hybridizing with an mRNA transcript encoding LOX or LOXL, such as LOXL2.

Design of antisense molecules which can be used to efficiently downregulate LOX or LOXL2 is typically effected while considering two aspects factors used in the antisense approach. The first aspect is delivery of the oligonucleotide into the cytoplasm of the appropriate cells, while the second aspect is design of an oligonucleotide which specifically binds the designated mRNA within cells in a way which inhibits translation thereof.

Several considerations are typically taken into account when designing antisense oligonucleotides. For efficient in vivo inhibition of gene expression using antisense oligonucleotides or analogs, the oligonucleotides or analogs typically fulfill the following requirements (i) sufficient specificity in binding to the target sequence; (ii) solubility in water; (iii) stability against intra- and extracellular nucleases; (iv) capability of penetration through the cell membrane; and (v) when used to treat an organism, low toxicity. Algorithms for identifying those sequences with the highest predicted binding affinity for their target mRNA based on a thermodynamic cycle that accounts for the energy of structural alterations in both the target mRNA and the oligonucleotide are available, for example, as described in Walton et al. Biotechnol Bioeng 65:1-9 (1999).

Such algorithms have been successfully used to implement an antisense approach in cells. For example, the algorithm developed by Walton et al. enabled scientists to successfully design antisense oligonucleotides for rabbit β-globin (RBG) and mouse tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF α) transcripts. The same research group has also reported that the antisense activity of rationally selected oligonucleotides against three model target mRNAs (human lactate dehydrogenase A and B and rat gp130) in cell culture as evaluated by a kinetic PCR technique proved effective in almost all cases, including tests against three different targets in two cell types with phosphodiester and phosphorothioate oligonucleotide chemistries.

In addition, several approaches for designing and predicting efficiency of specific oligonucleotides using an in vitro system are also published (Matveeva et al., Nature Biotechnology 16: 1374-1375 (1998)).

An antisense molecule which can be used with the present disclosure includes a polynucleotide or a polynucleotide analog of at least 10 bases, for example, between 10 and 15, between 15 and 20 bases, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 22, at least 25, at least 30, or even at least 40 bases which is hybridizable in vivo, under physiological conditions, with a portion of a polynucleotide strand encoding a polypeptide at least 50% homologous to SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 5 or 7 or at least 75% homologous to an N-terminal portion thereof as determined using the BestFit software of the Wisconsin sequence analysis package, utilizing the Smith and Waterman algorithm, where gap creation penalty equals 8 and gap extension penalty equals 2.

The antisense oligonucleotides used by the present disclosure can be expressed from a nucleic acid construct administered into the tissue, in which case inducible promoters can be used such that antisense expression can be switched on and off, or alternatively such oligonucleotides can be chemically synthesized and administered directly into the tissue, as part of, for example, a pharmaceutical composition.

The ability of chemically synthesizing oligonucleotides and analogs thereof having a selected predetermined sequence offers means for downmodulating gene expression. Four types of gene expression modulation strategies may be considered.

At the transcription level, antisense or sense oligonucleotides or analogs that bind to the genomic DNA by strand displacement or the formation of a triple helix, may prevent transcription. At the transcript level, antisense oligonucleotides or analogs that bind target mRNA molecules lead to the enzymatic cleavage of the hybrid by intracellular RNase H. In this case, by hybridizing to the targeted mRNA, the oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide analogs provide a duplex hybrid recognized and destroyed by the RNase H enzyme. Alternatively, such hybrid formation may lead to interference with correct splicing. As a result, in both cases, the number of the target mRNA intact transcripts ready for translation is reduced or eliminated.

At the translation level, antisense oligonucleotides or analogs that bind target mRNA molecules prevent, by steric hindrance, binding of essential translation factors (ribosomes), to the target mRNA, a phenomenon known in the art as hybridization arrest, disabling the translation of such mRNAs.

Unmodified oligonucleotides are typically impractical for use as antisense sequences since they have short in vivo half-lives, during which they are degraded rapidly by nucleases. Furthermore, they are often difficult to prepare in more than milligram quantities. In addition, such oligonucleotides are usually poor cell membrane penetrants. Thus, oligonucleotide analogs are usually devised in a suitable manner.

For example, problems arising in connection with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) recognition through triple helix formation have been diminished by a clever “switch back” chemical linking, whereby a sequence of polypurine on one strand is recognized, and by “switching back,” a homopurine sequence on the other strand can be recognized. Also, good helix formation has been obtained by using artificial bases, thereby improving binding conditions with regard to ionic strength and pH.

RNA oligonucleotides may also be used for antisense inhibition as they form a stable RNA-RNA duplex with the target, suggesting efficient inhibition. However, due to their low stability, RNA oligonucleotides are typically expressed inside the cells using vectors designed for this purpose. This approach may be used when attempting to target an mRNA that encodes an abundant and long-lived protein.

Antisense therapeutics can be used to treat many life-threatening diseases with a number of advantages over traditional drugs. Traditional drugs typically intervene after a disease-causing protein is formed. Antisense therapeutics, however, can block mRNA transcription/translation and intervene before a protein is formed, and since antisense therapeutics target only one specific mRNA, they can be more effective with fewer side effects than current protein-inhibiting therapy.

Several clinical trials have demonstrated safety, feasibility and activity of antisense oligonucleotides. For example, antisense oligonucleotides suitable for the treatment of cancer have been successfully used (Holmund et al., Curr. Opin. Mol. Ther. 1:372-385 (1999)), while treatment of hematological malignancies via antisense oligonucleotides targeting c-myb gene, p53 and Bcl-2 had entered clinical trials and had been shown to be tolerated by patients (Gerwitz, Curr. Opin. Mol. Ther. 1: 297-306 (1999)).

More recently, antisense-mediated suppression of human heparanase gene expression has been reported to inhibit pleural dissemination of human cancer cells in a mouse model (Uno et al., Cancer Res 61:7855-60 (2001)).

The first antisense drug was recently approved by the FDA. The drug, Fomivirsen, was developed by Isis, and is indicated for local treatment of cytomegalovirus in patients with AIDS who are intolerant of or have a contraindication to other treatments for CMV retinitis or who were insufficiently responsive to previous treatments for CMV retinitis (Pharmacotherapy News Network).

Thus, the current consensus is that recent developments in the field of antisense technology which, as described above, have led to the generation of highly accurate antisense design algorithms and a wide variety of oligonucleotide delivery systems, enable an ordinarily skilled artisan to design and implement antisense approaches suitable for downregulating expression of known sequences without having to resort to undue trial and error experimentation.

Ribozyme

Another agent capable of downregulating a lysyl oxidase is a ribozyme molecule capable of specifically cleaving an mRNA transcript encoding a LOX or LOXL. Ribozymes are being increasingly used for the sequence-specific inhibition of gene expression by the cleavage of mRNAs encoding proteins of interest (Welch et al., Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 9:486-496 (1998)). The possibility of designing ribozymes to cleave any specific target RNA has rendered them valuable tools in both basic research and therapeutic applications. In the therapeutics area, ribozymes have been exploited to target viral RNAs in infectious diseases, dominant oncogenes in cancers and specific somatic mutations in genetic disorders (Welch et al., Clin. Diagn. Virol. 10:163-171 (1998)). Most notably, several ribozyme gene therapy protocols for HIV patients are already in Phase 1 trials. More recently, ribozymes have been used for transgenic animal research, gene target validation and pathway elucidation. Several ribozymes are in various stages of clinical trials. ANGIOZYME was the first chemically synthesized ribozyme to be studied in human clinical trials. ANGIOZYME specifically inhibits formation of the VEGF-r (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor receptor), a key component in the angiogenesis pathway. Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as well as other firms have demonstrated the importance of anti-angiogenesis therapeutics in animal models. HEPTAZYME, a ribozyme designed to selectively destroy Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA, was found effective in decreasing Hepatitis C viral RNA in cell culture assays (Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).

DNAzynze

Another agent capable of downregulating a lysyl oxidase is a DNAzyme molecule capable of specifically cleaving an mRNA transcript or DNA sequence of LOX or LOXL. DNAzymes are single-stranded polynucleotides which are capable of cleaving both single and double stranded target sequences (Breaker and Joyce, Chemistry and Biology, 2:655-660 (1995); Santoro and Joyce, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 943:4262-4266 (1997)). A general model (the “10-23” model) for the DNAzyme has been proposed. “10-23” DNAzymes have a catalytic domain of 15 deoxyribonucleotides, flanked by two substrate-recognition domains of seven to nine deoxyribonucleotides each. This type of DNAzyme can effectively cleave its substrate RNA at purine:pyrimidine junctions (Santoro and Joyce, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 943:4262-4266 (1997); Khachigian, Curr. Opin. Mol. Ther. 4:119-121 (2002)).

Examples of construction and amplification of synthetic, engineered DNAzymes recognizing single and double-stranded target cleavage sites have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,174. DNAzymes of similar design directed against the human Urokinase receptor were recently observed to inhibit Urokinase receptor expression, and successfully inhibit colon cancer cell metastasis in vivo (Itoh et al., 2002, Abstract 409, Ann Meeting Am. Soc. Gen. Ther. www.asgt.org). In another application, DNAzymes complementary to bcr-abl oncogenes were successful in inhibiting the oncogenes expression in leukemia cells, and lessening relapse rates in autologous bone marrow transplant in cases of CML and ALL.

siRNA

Another mechanism of down regulating a lysyl oxidase at the transcript level is RNA interference (RNAi), an approach which utilizes small interfering dsRNA (siRNA or small hairpin RNA, shRNA) molecules that are homologous to the target mRNA and lead to its degradation (Carthew, Curr. Opin. Cell. Biol. 13: 244-248 (2001)). For example, infection of diverse types of cancer cells with expression of a LOXL2 specific shRNA is effective in altering both their morphology and invasiveness (Example 1).

RNA interference is typically a two-step process. In the first step, which is termed as the initiation step, input dsRNA is digested into 21-23 nucleotide (nt) small interfering RNAs (siRNA), probably by the action of Dicer, a member of the RNase III family of dsRNA-specific ribonucleases, which processes (cleaves) dsRNA (introduced directly or via a transgene or a virus) in an ATP-dependent manner. Successive cleavage events degrade the RNA to 19-21 bp duplexes (siRNA), each with 2-nucleotide 3′ overhangs (Hutvagner and Zamore, Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 12: 225-232 (2002); Bernstein, Nature 409:363-366 (2001)).

In the effector step, the siRNA duplexes bind to a nuclease complex to form the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). An ATP-dependent unwinding of the siRNA duplex is required for activation of the RISC. The active RISC then targets the homologous transcript by base pairing interactions and typically cleaves the mRNA into approximately 12 nucleotide fragments from the 3′ terminus of the siRNA (Hutvagner and Zamore, Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 12: 225-232 (2002); Hammond et al., Nat. Rev. Gen. 2:110-119 (2001); Sharp, Genes. Dev. 15:485-490 (2001)). Although the mechanism of cleavage is still to be elucidated, research indicates that each RISC contains a single siRNA and an RNase (Hutvagner and Zamore, Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 12: 225-232 (2002)).

Because of the remarkable potency of RNAi, an amplification step within the RNAi pathway has been suggested. Amplification could occur by copying of the input dsRNAs which would generate more siRNAs, or by replication of the siRNAs formed. Alternatively or additionally, amplification could be effected by multiple turnover events of the RISC (Hutvagner and Zamore, Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 12: 225-232 (2002); Hammond et al., Nat. Rev. Gen. 2:110-119 (2001); Sharp, Genes. Dev. 15:485-490 (2001)). RNAi is also described in Tuschl, Chem. Biochem. 2: 239-245 (2001); Cullen, Nat. Immunol. 3:597-599 (2002); and Brand, Biochem. Biophys. Act. 1575:15-25 (2002).

Synthesis of RNAi molecules suitable for use with the present disclosure can be effected as follows. First, the LOX or LOXL mRNA sequence is scanned downstream of the AUG start codon for AA dinucleotide sequences. Occurrence of each AA and the 3′ adjacent 19 nucleotides is recorded as potential siRNA target sites. The siRNA target sites are selected from the open reading frame, as untranslated regions (UTRs) are richer in regulatory protein binding sites. UTR-binding proteins and/or translation initiation complexes may interfere with binding of the siRNA endonuclease complex (Tuschl, Chem. Biochem. 2: 239-245 (2001)). It will be appreciated though, that siRNAs directed at untranslated regions may also be effective, as demonstrated for GAPDH wherein siRNA directed at the 5′ UTR mediated about 90% decrease in cellular GAPDH mRNA and completely abolished protein level (www.ambion.com/techlib/tn/91/912.html). Second, potential target sites are compared to an appropriate genomic database (e.g., human, mouse, rat etc.) using any sequence alignment software, such as the BLAST software available from the NCBI server (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/). Putative target sites which exhibit significant homology to other coding sequences are filtered out.

Qualifying target sequences are selected as template for to siRNA synthesis. Selected sequences can include those with low G/C content as these have been shown to be more effective in mediating gene silencing as compared to those with G/C content higher than 55%. Several target sites can be selected along the length of the target gene for evaluation. For better evaluation of the selected siRNAs, a negative control is used in conjunction. Negative control siRNA can include the same nucleotide composition as the siRNAs but lack significant homology to the genome. Thus, a scrambled nucleotide sequence of the siRNA may be used, provided it does not display any significant homology to any other gene.

The siRNA molecules of the present disclosure can be transcribed from expression vectors which can facilitate stable expression of the siRNA transcripts once introduced into a host cell. These vectors are engineered to express shRNAs, which are processed in vivo into siRNA molecules capable of carrying out gene-specific silencing (Brummelkamp et al., Science 296:550-553 (2002); Paddison et al., Genes Dev. 16:948-958 (2002); Paul et al., Nature Biotech. 20: 505-508 (2002); Yu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:6047-6052(2002)).

ShRNAs are single-stranded polynucleotides with a hairpin loop structure. The single-stranded polynucleotide has a loop segment linking the 3′ end of one strand in the double-stranded region and the 5′ end of the other strand in the double-stranded region. The double-stranded region is formed from a first sequence that is hybridizable to a target sequence, such as a polynucleotide encoding LOXL2, or a LOXL2 mRNA, and a second sequence that is complementary to the first sequence, thus the first and second sequence form a double stranded region to which the linking sequence connects the ends of to form the hairpin loop structure. The first sequence can be hybridizable to any portion of a polynucleotide encoding LOXL2. The double-stranded stem domain of the shRNA comprises a restriction endonuclease site.

The stem-loop structure of shRNAs can have optional nucleotide overhands, such as 2-bp overhands, for example, 3′ UU-overhangs. While there may be variation, stems typically range from approximately 15 to 49, approximately 15 to 35, approximately 19 to 35, approximately 21 to 31 bp, or approximately 21 to 29 bp, and the loops can range from approximately 4 to 30 bp, for example, about 4 to 23 bp.

For expression of shRNAs within cells, plasmid vectors containing either the polymerase III H1-RNA or U6 promoter, a cloning site for the stem-looped RNA insert, and a 4 5-thymidine transcription termination signal can be employed. The Polymerase III promoters generally have well-defined initiation and stop sites and their transcripts lack poly(A) tails. The termination signal for these promoters is defined by the polythymidine tract, and the transcript is typically cleaved after the second uridine. Cleavage at this position generates a 3′ UU overhang in the expressed shRNA, which is similar to the 3′ overhangs of synthetic siRNAs. Additional methods for expressing the shRNA in mammalian cells are described in the references cited above.

An example of a suitable expression vector is the pSUPER™, which includes the polymerase-III H1-RNA gene promoter with a well defined start of transcription and a termination signal consisting of five thymidines in a row (T5) (Brummelkamp et al., Science 296:550-553 (2002)). The cleavage of the transcript at the termination site is at a site following the second uridine, thus yielding a transcript which resembles the ends of synthetic siRNAs, which also contain nucleotide overhangs. siRNA is cloned such that it includes the sequence of interest, i.e., LOX or LOXL separated by a short spacer from the reverse complement of the same sequence. The resulting transcript folds back on itself to form a stem-loop structure, which mediates LOX or LOXL RNAi. For example, sequences that comprise a DNA sequence encoding the shRNA for LOXL2, such as SEQ ID NO: 20 (sh.LOXL2.197 or si-197), or SEQ ID NO: 21 (sh.LOXL2.195, or si-195) may mediate LOXL2 RNAi. The sequences that mediate LOXL2 RNAi may also comprise SEQ ID NO: 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or portions thereof.

Another suitable siRNA expression vector encodes the sense and antisense siRNA under the regulation of separate polIII promoters (Miyagishi and Taira, Nature Biotech. 20:497-500 (2002)). The siRNA, generated by this vector also includes a five thymidine (T5) termination signal.

Since approaches for introducing synthetic siRNA into cells by lipofection can result in low transfection efficiencies in some cell types and/or short-term persistence of silencing effects, vector mediated methods have been developed.

Thus, siRNA molecules utilized by the present disclosure can be delivered into cell using retroviruses. Delivery of siRNA using retroviruses provides several advantages over methods, such as lipofection, since retroviral delivery typically is more efficient, uniform and immediately selects for stable “knock-down” cells (Devroe and Silver, BMC Biotechnol. 2:15 (2002)).

Recent scientific publications have validated the efficacy of such short double stranded RNA molecules in inhibiting target mRNA expression and thus have clearly demonstrated the therapeutic potential of such molecules. For example, RNAi has been utilized to inhibit expression of hepatitis C (McCaffrey et al., Nature 418:38-39 (2002)), HIV-1 (Jacque et al., Nature 418:435-438 (2002)), cervical cancer cells (Jiang and Milner, Oncogene 21:6041-6048 (2002)) and leukemic cells (Wilda et al., Oncogene 21, 5716-5724 (2002)).

Triple Helix Forming Oligonucleotides (TFO)

An additional method of regulating the expression of LOX or LOXL in cells is via triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs). Recent studies have shown that TFOs can be designed which can recognize and bind to polypurine/polypyrimidine regions in double-stranded helical DNA in a sequence-specific manner. These recognition rules are outlined by Maher III et al., Science 245:725-730 (1989); Moser et al., Science 238:645-630 (1987); Beal et al., Science 251:1360-1363 (1992); Cooney et al., Science 241:456-459 (1988); and Hogan et al., EP Publication 375408. Modification of the oligonucleotides, such as the introduction of intercalators and backbone substitutions, and optimization of binding conditions (pH and cation concentration) have aided in overcoming inherent obstacles to TFO activity such as charge repulsion and instability, and it was recently shown that synthetic oligonucleotides can be targeted to specific sequences (see Seidman and Glazer, J. Clin. Invest. 112:487-494 (2003)).

In general, the triplex-forming oligonucleotide has the sequence correspondence:

oligo 3′--A G G T duplex 5′--A G C T duplex 3′--T C G A

However, it has been shown that the A-AT and G-GC triplets have the greatest triple helical stability (Reither and Jeltsch, BMC Biochem, 2002, September 12, Epub). The same authors demonstrated that TFOs designed according to the A-AT and G-GC rule do not form non-specific triplexes, indicating that the triplex formation is sequence specific.

Thus for any given sequence in the LOX or LOXL regulatory region, a triplex forming sequence may be devised. Triplex-forming oligonucleotides can be at least 15, 25, 30 or more nucleotides in length. They can also be up to 50 or 100 bp.

Transfection of cells (for example, via cationic liposomes) with TFOs, and formation of the triple helical structure with the target DNA induces steric and functional changes, blocking transcription initiation and elongation, allowing the introduction of desired sequence changes in the endogenous DNA and resulting in the specific downregulation of gene expression. Examples of such suppression of gene expression in cells treated with TFOs include knockout of episomal supFG1 and endogenous HPRT genes in mammalian cells (Vasquez et al., Nucl Acids Res. 27:1176-1181 (1999); Puri et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276: 28991-28998 (2001)), and the sequence and target specific downregulation of expression of the Ets2 transcription factor, important in prostate cancer etiology (Carbone et al., Nucl. Acid Res. 31:833-843 (2003)), and the pro-inflammatory ICAM-1 gene (Besch et al., J. Biol. Chem. 277:32473-32479 (2002)). In addition, Vuyisich and Beal have shown that sequence specific TFOs can bind to dsRNA, inhibiting activity of dsRNA-dependent enzymes such as RNA-dependent kinases (Vuyisich and Beal, Nuc. Acids Res. 28: 2369-2374 (2000)).

Additionally, TFOs designed according to the abovementioned principles can induce directed mutagenesis capable of effecting DNA repair, thus providing both downregulation and upregulation of expression of endogenous genes (Seidman and Glazer, J. Clin. Invest. 112:487-494 (2003)). Detailed description of the design, synthesis and administration of effective TFOs can be found in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2003/017068 and 2003/0096980 to Froehler et al, and 2002 0128218 and 2002 0123476 to Emanuele et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,138 to Lawn.

The downregulators described hereinabove are useful for inhibiting angiogenesis in tumor tissue. It has been shown that PF4, a lysyl oxidase binding protein which inhibits angiogenesis in tumor tissue specifically accumulates in newly formed blood vessels of tumors (angiogenic vessels) but not in established blood vessels (Hansell et al., Amer. J. Physiol-Heart. Circ. Phy. 38:H829-H836 (1995); Reiser et al., FASEB J. 6: 2439-2449 (1992)).

Newly formed angiogenic blood vessels are typically more permeable to proteins than established blood vessels because the major inducer of angiogenesis in many angiogenic diseases is VEGF, a growth factor which also functions as a potent blood vessel permeabilizing factor (VPF) (Neufeld et al., FASEB J. 13:9-22 (1999)). Tumor associated blood vessels are therefore typically in a permanent state of hyperpermeability due to deregulated over-expression of VEGF and as such, a downregulator molecule used by the method of the present disclosure could be able to extravasate efficiently from tumor blood vessels but much less efficiently from normal stabilized blood vessels.

Upregulators

Several approaches can be utilized to increase the levels of LOX or LOXL and as such to enhance the formation of blood vessels.

For example, a nucleic acid construct including a constitutive, inducible or tissue specific promoter positioned upstream of a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having LOX or LOXL activity, such as the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 6, 8 or 9 can be administered into a mammalian tissue. The LOX or LOXL expressed from this construct could substantially increase the levels of LOX or LOXL within the cells of the tissue and as such enhance angiogenesis.

The polynucleotide segments encoding the LOX or LOXL can be ligated into a commercially available expression vector. Such an expression vector includes a promoter sequence for directing transcription of the polynucleotide sequence in the cell in a constitutive or inducible manner. A suitable promoter can be, for example, a Tie-2 promoter which is capable of directing lysyl oxidase specific gene expression in endothelial cells (see Schlaeger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94, 3058-3063 (1997)). The expression vector of the present disclosure can further include additional polynucleotide sequences such as for example, sequences encoding selection markers or reporter polypeptides, sequences encoding origin of replication in bacteria, sequences that allow for translation of several proteins from a single mRNA such as an internal ribosome entry site (IRES), sequences for genomic integration of the promoter-chimeric polypeptide encoding region and/or sequences generally included in mammalian expression vector such as pcDNA3, pcDNA3.1(+/−), pZeoSV2(+/−), pSecTag2, pDisplay, pEF/myc/cyto, pCMV/myc/cyto, pCR3.1, which are available from Invitrogen, pCI which is available from Promega, pBK-RSV and pBK-CMV which are available from Strategene, pTRES which is available from Clontech, and their derivatives.

It will be appreciated that such commercially available vector systems can easily be modified via commonly used recombinant techniques in order to replace, duplicate or mutate existing promoter or enhancer sequences and/or introduce any additional polynucleotide sequences.

An agent capable of upregulating a LOX or LOXL may also be any compound which is capable of increasing the transcription and/or translation of an endogenous DNA or mRNA encoding a LOX or LOXL using for example gene “knock in” techniques.

Enhancer elements can be “knocked in” adjacent to endogenous lysyl oxidase coding sequences to thereby increase transcription therefrom.

Further details relating to the construction and use of knock-out and knock-in constructs is provided elsewhere (Fukushige and Ikeda, DNA Res. 3:73-80 (1996); Bedell et al., Genes Dev. 11:1-11 (1997); Bermingham et al., Genes Dev. 10:1751-1762 (1996)).

It will be appreciated that direct administration of a polypeptide exhibiting a LOX or LOXL activity can also be utilized for enhancing angiogenesis.

Thus, affinity binding assays and/or activity assays, the principles of which are well known in the art, can be used to screen for novel compounds (e.g., substrate analogs) which can specifically regulate the activity of a lysyl oxidase and as such can be used with the present invention.

An assay suitable for use with this aspect of the present disclosure has been previously described in a study conducted by Bedell-Hogan et al., J Biol Chem. 268:10345-10350 (1993).

Administration

Previous studies correlated expression levels of LOXL2 to the metastatic properties of breast cancer derived cell lines, indicating that LOXL2 may play additional roles in tumor invasiveness in addition to its role in angiogenesis.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a method of inhibiting metastasis and/or fibrosis in a mammalian tissue using compositions described herein. The method is effected by administering to the mammalian tissue a molecule capable of downregulating a tissue level and/or an activity of at least one type of a lysyl oxidase, such as shRNA disclosed herein.

The method of the present disclosure can be used to treat human patients that have been diagnosed with cancerous tumors, by administering any of the downregulating molecules described herein above, in order to reduce the tissue level and/or activity of at least one type of a lysyl oxidase.

As used herein, the phrase “cancerous tumor” refers to any malignant tumor within a human body including, but not limiting to, tumors with metastases. In addition, and without being bound to any particular type of cancerous tumor, the present disclosure is useful to treat breast cancer tumors, with or without metastases.

As used herein, the phrase “administering” refers to all modes of administration described herein below with respect to the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. Administration also refers to all modes of administration described herein below with respect to any agent, including polynucleotides of the present invention, for a therapeutic effect. Administration may be of an amount effective to have a therapeutic effect. The therapeutic effect may be for treating or inhibiting a condition or disorder, such as cancerous tumors, primary or metatstatic, PAP, as well as disorders or conditions associated with fibrosis, and/or angiogenesis. An effective amount as used herein refers the amount or dosage of that composition, such as an agent, including polynucleotides of the present invention that is required to induce a desired effect. An effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition, or of an agent, such as a polynucleotide is meant to be a nontoxic but sufficient amount of the agent or composition, to provide the desired effect, i.e., inhibiting, preventing, or reversing, the onset or progressive course of a cancer, primary or metatstatic, PAP, inflammation, and/or conditions or disorders related to fibrosis or angiogenesis.

Administration includes, but is not limited to, local administration at the tumor tissue, an organ where the cancerous tumor was diagnosed and/or related tissues that typically form metastases (Hortobagyi, Semin. Oncol. 29: 134-144 (2002); Morrow and Gradishar, BMJ 324:410-414 (2002)). Examples of related tissue include lymph nodes adjacent to, for example, breast tissue and bones.

Administration can also be effected in a systemic manner in order to treat the affected tissue, i.e., the tissue where the cancerous tumor was formed and where metastases are present or likely to be formed with tumor progression. A therapeutically effective amount of compositions described herein, may be administered, in which the amount is nontoxic but sufficient to provide the desired effect, i.e., inhibiting, preventing, or reversing the onset or progressive course of a condition described here, including primary tumor formation or growth, metastasis, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and PAP.

Since any molecule capable of downregulating a lysyl oxidase activity can be utilized by the methods described hereinabove, the present disclosure also provides a method of identifying molecules capable of inhibiting metastasis and/or fibrosis.

This method is effected by screening and identifying molecules which exhibit specific reactivity with at least one type of lysyl oxidase and testing a metastasis and/or fibrosis inhibitory potential of these molecules.

Numerous types of molecules can be screened for reactivity with at least one type of lysyl oxidase, examples include, but are not limited to, molecules such as antisense oligonucleotides, siRNA, DNAzymes, ribozymes and triple helix forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) that interact with a polynucleotide expressing a lysyl oxidase activity or molecules such as antibodies that interact with polypeptides having a lysyl oxidase activity. In addition, short peptides and other small molecules can also be screened by this method and used in the compositions and methods of treatments disclosed herein.

Screening for cross reactivity can be effected by lysyl oxidase enzymatic activity assays, by binding assays and the like. Examples of suitable assays are provided in Rodriguez et al., Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 22:1409-1414 (2002); Wilson and Nock, Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 6:81-85 (2002); Uetz, Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 6: 57-62 (2002); Stoll et al., Front Biosci. 7:c13-32(2002)).

Testing a metastatic phenotype of transformed tumor cells can be performed in vitro since nearly all steps of the metastatic process, including attachment, matrix degradation and migration, can be modeled experimentally in vitro by measuring invasion of a reconstituted basement membrane (RBM). Metastatic invasiveness of tumor cell can be modeled by migration of tumor cells into reconstituted basement membrane (RBM) in the presence and absence of a chemoattractant, such as fibroblast conditioned medium (FCM). The assay determines cells that have attached to the RBM, degraded the RBM enzymatically and, finally, cells that have penetrated the FCM side of the membrane.

Since in vitro metastasis events correspond to steps observed in the metastatic spread of tumor cells through the basement membrane in vivo, in vitro invasiveness of cells can be assayed by the methods described in Albini et al., Cancer Res. 47:3239-3245 (1987). Invasiveness assays and other methods for assessing metastatic affects, are described in Leyton et al., Cancer Res. 54:3696-3699 (1994). Reconstituted basement membrane preparations for use in accordance with the hereinabove described assays are readily available from numerous commercial suppliers. One such example membrane in this regard is “MATRIGEL” available from Collaborative Biomedical Products of Bedford, Mass.

In vitro evaluation of tumor cell metastatic phenotype can also be effected by determining level and pattern of expression of one or more metastasis associated markers such protease markers, which are considered to be an integral part of tumor metastasis (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,318). One example is the arachidonic acid, the release of which in cells can serve to indicate metastatic potential of a tumor (U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,416). In this regard, determining phospholipase A-2 (PLA2) activity, and the activity or abundance of factors that affect the activity of PLA2, such as uteroglobin protein (U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,416) can serve as an indication of metastatic potential.

Determining pattern and level of expression of metastasis-associated markers can be effected by one of several methods known in the art.

The presence or level of proteins indicative of metastatic potential of tumors can be determined in cells by conventional methods well known to those of skill in the art. For instance, the techniques for making and using antibody and other immunological reagents and for detecting particular proteins in samples using such reagents are described in Coligan et al. (Eds.), Current Protocols in Immunology, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1995), which is incorporated by reference herein in parts pertinent to making and using reagents useful for determining specific proteins in samples. As another example, immunohistochemical methods for determining proteins in cells in tissues are described in Ausubel et al., (Eds.), Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, Chapter 14, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1994), which is incorporated by reference herein in part pertinent to carrying out such determinations. Finally, Linnoila et al., A.J.C.P. 97: 235-243 (1992) and Peri et al., J. Clin. Invest. 92: 2099-2109 (1992), incorporated herein as referred to above, describe techniques that may be used.

Metastatic potential can also be determined in vivo at the mRNA level. The presence and/or level of mRNA transcripts can be determined by a variety of methods known to those of skill in the art. A given mRNA may be detected in cells by hybridization to a specific probe. Such probes may be cloned DNAs or fragments thereof, RNA, typically made by in vitro transcription, or oligonucleotide probes, usually generated by solid phase synthesis. Methods for generating and using probes suitable for specific hybridization are well known and used in the art.

A variety of controls may be usefully employed to improve accuracy in mRNA detection assays. For instance, samples may be hybridized to an irrelevant probe and treated with RNAse A prior to hybridization, to assess false hybridization.

In order to modulate angiogenesis or inhibit metastasis or tumor fibrosis, the molecules used by the present disclosure can be administered to the individual per se, or in a pharmaceutical composition where it is mixed with suitable carriers or excipients.

As used herein a “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a preparation of one or more of the active ingredients described herein with other chemical components such as physiologically suitable carriers and excipients. The purpose of a pharmaceutical composition is to facilitate administration/targeting of a compound to a mammal.

As used herein the term “active ingredients” refers to the preparation accountable for the biological effect, i.e. the upregulator/downregulator molecules used by the present disclosure to modulate angiogenesis and the downregulators molecules used by the present disclosure to inhibit metastasis and tumor fibrosis.

The phrases “physiologically acceptable carrier” and “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” are interchangeably used to refer to a carrier, such as, for example, a liposome, a virus, a micelle, or a protein, or a diluent which do not cause significant irritation to the mammal and do not abrogate the biological activity and properties of the active ingredient. An adjuvant is included under these phrases.

The term “excipient” refers to an inert substance added to a pharmaceutical composition to further facilitate administration of an active ingredient. Examples, without limitation, of excipients, include calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars and types of starch, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, vegetable oils and polyethylene glycols.

Techniques for formulation and administration of compositions may be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., latest edition.

Suitable routes of administration may, for example, include oral, rectal, transmucosal, transnasal, intestinal or parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous and intramedullary injections as well as intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections.

For injection, the active ingredients of the invention may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hank's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological salt buffer. For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

For oral administration, the compounds can be formulated readily by combining the active ingredient with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art. Such carriers enable the active ingredient of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for oral ingestion by a patient. Pharmacological preparations for oral use can be made using a solid excipient, optionally grinding the resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carbomethylcellulose; and/or physiologically acceptable polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). If desired, disintegrating agents may be added, such as cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate.

Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose, concentrated sugar solutions may be used which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterize different combinations of active compound doses.

Pharmaceutical compositions which can be used orally, include push-fit capsules made of gelatin as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules may contain the active ingredients in admixture with filler such as lactose, binders such as starches, lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active ingredients may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. In addition, stabilizers may be added. All formulations for oral administration should be in dosages suitable for the chosen route of administration.

For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

The preparations described herein may be formulated for parenteral administration, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules or in multidose containers with optionally, an added preservative. The compositions may be suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.

Pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active preparation in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the active ingredients may be prepared as appropriate oily or water based injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acids esters such as ethyl oleate, triglycerides or liposomes. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances, which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the active ingredients to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile, pyrogen-free water based solution, before use.

The preparation of the present disclosure may also be formulated in rectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, using, e.g., conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in context of the present disclosure include compositions wherein the active ingredients are contained in an amount effective to achieve the intended purpose.

The pharmaceutical composition may form a part of an article of manufacturing which also includes a packaging material for containing the pharmaceutical composition and a leaflet which provides indications of use for the pharmaceutical composition.

Thus, the present disclosure provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful modulating angiogenesis.

Such modulation activity can be used to treat arthritis (Koch, Arthritis Rheum. 41:951-962 (1998); Paleolog and Fava, Springer Semin. Immunopathol. 20: 73-94 (1998)), diabetic retinopathy (Miller et al., Diabetes Metab. Rev. 13:37-50 (1997)), psoriasis, (Detmar et al., J. Exp. Med. 180:1141-1146 (1994); Creamer et al., Br. J. Dermatol. 136, 859-865(1997)) or vasculitis (Lie, Curr. Opin. Rheumatol. 4:47-55 (1992); Klipple and Riordan, Rheum. Dis. Clin. North Am. 15:383-398 (1989)).

In addition, the present disclosure also provides methods to treat disease characterized by fragile blood vessels, including Marfans syndrome, Kawasaki, Ehlers-Danlos, cutis-laxa, and takysu (Lie, Curr. Opin. Rheumatol. 4:47-55 (1992); Klipple and Riordan, Rheum. Dis. Clin. North Am. 15:383-398 (1989); Brahn et al., Clin. Immunol. Immunopathol. 90:147-151 (1999); Cid et al., J. Clin. Invest. 91:977-985 (1993); Hoffman et al., Arthritis Rheum. 34:1466-1475 (1991)). It is possible that some of these diseases result from reduced or abolished lysyl oxidase activity which leads to the synthesis of a fragile extracellular matrix, and consequently, fragile blood vessels. As such, administration of LOX or LOXL encoding sequences or polypeptides can be used to correct some of the manifestations of these diseases.

The present disclosure also provides methods to treat diseases which are characterized by changes in the wall of blood vessels. For example, restenosis which is a common complication following balloon therapy, fibromuscular dysplasia (Begelman and Olin, Curr. Opin. Rheumatol. 12:41-47 (2000)) and aortic stenosis (Palta et al., Circulation 101: 2497-2502 (2000)) are all potentially treatable by the compositions and methods described herein.

Diagnostics

In addition, LOXL2 is more highly expressed in metastatic tumors and cell lines than in non-metastatic tumors and cell lines. This suggests that levels of LOXL2 expression can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine the malignancy of cancer cells, as well as, to determine and implement suitable treatment regimens. LOXL2 and LOXL3 are also more highly expressed in PAP, and thus levels of LOXL2, LOXL3, or both, can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine PAP and implement suitable treatment regimens. Detection agents, such as an antibody, a small molecule, antisense molecule, ribozyme, DNAzyme, triple helix forming oligonucleotides, siRNA, or shRNA can be used to assess the level or activity of LOXL2, LOXL3, or both, in subjects.

Colon cancer is a highly treatable and often a curable disease when localized to the bowel. However, in many cases, due to mis-diagnosis, a pre-malignant colon hyperplasia progress into colon adenoma which further develop into more malignant forms of low-grade and high-grade colon adenocarcinoma. Once an individual is diagnosed with colon cancer the malignancy of the tumor needs to be assessed in order to select for suitable treatment regimens. The current practice for assessing the malignancy of a colon tumor is based on the tumor-node-metastases (TNM) staging system developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). According to this method staging is based on scoring for the presence or absence of cancerous cells in the tumor itself, in the submucosa of the bowel wall, in the muscular layer of the bowel wall (muscularis propria), and/or in the subserosa, pericolic or perirectal tissues, as well as in regional lymph nodes and distance metastases. Thus, staging of colon tumors involves multiple tissue biopsies and complex pathological evaluations which are time consuming and can result in misdiagnosis.

LOXL2 expression in epithelial and/or connective tissue cells in a colon tissue is indicative of a malignant colon cancer and thus provides a new method of assessing a malignancy of colon cancer tumors devoid of the above limitations.

The expression of LOXL2 is correlated with the formation of benign colon tumors and is increased in more malignant forms of colon cancer tumors thus suggesting the use of LOXL2 in determining the stage of colon cancer tumors.

Thus according to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of assessing a malignancy of a colon tumor. The method is effected by determining a tissue level and/or an activity level of a polypeptide at least 75% homologous to the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 9 in the colon tumor tissue, thereby assessing the malignancy of the colon tumor.

As is used herein, the phrase “assessing a malignancy of a to colon tumor” refers to determining the stage of the colon tumor, i.e., the progress of the colon tumor from a benign colon tumor to a highly malignant colon cancer which invades the surrounding tissue.

The polypeptide detected by the present disclosure can be at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 2 or 9, as determined using the BestFit software of the Wisconsin sequence analysis package, utilizing the Smith and Waterman algorithm, where gap creation penalty equals 8 and gap extension penalty equals 2.

In some embodiments, the polypeptide is LOXL2 (SEQ ID NO: 2), a member of the lysyl oxidase family which are fully described herein.

According to the methods described herein, a colon tumor tissue is obtained using a colon biopsy and/or a colon surgery using methods know in the art. Once obtained, the tissue level and/or activity level of the polypeptide of the present disclosure is determined in the colon tumor tissue.

Similarly, for PAP diagnosis, a lung tissue sample can be obtained by lung biopsy and other methods known in the art. The polypeptide detected by the present disclosure can be at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 2 or 9, as determined using the BestFit software of the Wisconsin sequence analysis package, utilizing the Smith and Waterman algorithm, where gap creation penalty equals 8 and gap extension penalty equals 2. The polypeptide of the present disclosure can be LOXL2 (SEQ ID NO: 2) or LOXL3 (SEQ ID NO. 9), members of the lysyl oxidase family which are fully described herein. The mRNA expression can also be detected and used for diagnosis. Furthermore, both LOXL2 and LOXL3 can be detected, either using the same detection agent (for example an antibody that detects both proteins), or different detection agents (for example an antibody that is specific for LOXL2 and another antibody specific for LOXL3; or different Northern probes).

Determination of the tissue level of the polypeptides described herein may be accomplished directly using immunological methods.

The immunological detection methods used in context of the present disclosure are fully explained in, for example, Lane (Ed.), Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Ed Harlow, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1999) and those familiar with the art will be capable of implementing the various techniques summarized hereinbelow as part of the present invention. All of the immunological techniques require antibodies specific to at least one epitope of the polypeptide of the present invention. Immunological detection methods suited for use as part of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, radio-immunoassay (RIA), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, immunohistochemical analysis.

Radio-immunoassay (RIA): In one version, this method involves precipitation of the desired substrate, e.g., LOXL2, with a specific antibody and radiolabelled antibody binding protein (e.g., protein A labeled with I¹²⁵) immobilized on a precipitable carrier such as agarose beads. The number of counts in the precipitated pellet is proportional to the amount of substrate.

In an alternate version of the RIA, a labeled substrate and an unlabeled antibody binding protein are employed. A sample containing an unknown amount of substrate is added in varying amounts. The decrease in precipitated counts from the labeled substrate is proportional to the amount of substrate in the added sample.

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): This method involves fixation of a sample (e.g., fixed cells or a proteinaceous solution) containing a protein substrate (e.g., LOXL2) to a surface such as a well of a microliter plate. A substrate specific antibody coupled to an enzyme is applied and allowed to bind to the substrate. Presence of the antibody is then detected and quantitated by a colorimetric reaction employing the enzyme coupled to the antibody. Enzymes commonly employed in this method include horseradish peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase. If well calibrated and within the linear range of response, the amount of substrate present in the sample is proportional to the amount of color produced. A substrate standard is generally employed to improve quantitative accuracy.

Western blot analysis: This method involves separation of a substrate (e.g., LOXL2) from other proteins by means of an acrylamide gel followed by transfer of the substrate to a membrane (e.g., nylon or PVDF). Presence of the substrate is then detected by antibodies specific to the substrate, which are in turn detected by antibody binding reagents. Antibody binding reagents may be, for example, protein A, or other antibodies. Antibody binding reagents may be radiolabelled or enzyme linked as described hereinabove. Detection may be by autoradiography, colorimetric reaction or chemiluminescence. This method allows both quantitation of an amount of substrate and determination of its identity by a relative position on the membrane which is indicative of a migration distance in the acrylamide gel during electrophoresis.

Immunohistochemical analysis: This method involves detection of a substrate in situ in fixed tissue by substrate specific antibodies. The substrate specific antibodies may be enzyme linked or linked to fluorophores and detected by microscopy and subjective evaluation. If enzyme linked antibodies are employed, a colorimetric reaction may be employed.

Since tissue levels of a polypeptide can be inferred from the levels of mRNA encoding such a polypeptide, the method according to this aspect of the present disclosure can also employ various polynucleotide detection approaches for determining the tissue level of the polypeptide of the present invention.

RNA molecules can be detected using methods known in the art including for example, Northern blot analysis, RT-PCR analyses, RNA in situ hybridization stain and in situ RT-PCR stain.

Northern Blot analysis: This method involves the detection of a particular RNA (e.g., the RNA molecule encoding LOXL2) in a mixture of RNAs. An RNA sample is denatured by treatment with an agent (e.g., formaldehyde) that prevents hydrogen bonding between base pairs, ensuring that all the RNA molecules have an unfolded, linear conformation. The individual RNA molecules are then separated according to size by gel electrophoresis and transferred to a nitrocellulose or a nylon-based membrane to which the denatured RNAs adhere. The membrane is then exposed to labeled DNA probes. Probes may be labeled using radio-isotopes or enzyme linked nucleotides. Detection may be using autoradiography, colorimetric reaction or chemiluminescence as described hereinabove. This method allows both quantitation of an amount of particular RNA molecules and determination of its identity by a relative position on the membrane which is indicative of a migration distance in the gel during electrophoresis.

RT-PCR analysis: This method uses PCR amplification of relatively rare RNAs molecules. First, RNA molecules from a particular tissue (e.g., a colon tumor tissue) are purified and converted into complementary DNA (cDNA) using a reverse transcriptase enzyme (such as an MMLV-RT) and primers such as, oligo dT, random hexamers or gene specific primers, all of which are available from Invitrogen Life Technologies, Frederick, Md., USA. Then by applying gene specific primers and Taq DNA polymerase, a PCR amplification reaction is carried out in a PCR machine. Those of skills in the art are capable of selecting the length and sequence of the gene specific primers and the PCR conditions (i.e., annealing temperatures, number of cycles and the like) which are suitable for detecting specific RNA molecules.

RNA in situ hybridization stain: In this method DNA or RNA probes are attached to the RNA molecules present in the tissue. Generally, a tissue sample (e.g., a colon tissue) is fixed to preserve its structure and to prevent the RNA from being degraded and then sectioned for microscopy and placed on a slide. Alternatively, frozen tissue samples can be first sectioned and put on a slide and then subject to fixation prior to hybridization. Hybridization conditions include reagents such as formamide and salts (e.g., sodium chloride and sodium citrate) which enable specific hybridization of the DNA or RNA probes with their target mRNA molecules in situ while avoiding non-specific binding of probe. Those of skill in the art are capable of adjusting the hybridization conditions (i.e., temperature, concentration of salts and formamide and the like) to specific probes and types of cells. Following hybridization, any unbound probe is washed off and the slide is subjected to either a photographic emulsion which reveals signals generated using radio-labeled probes or to a colorimetric reaction which reveals signals generated using enzyme-linked labeled probes as described hereinabove.

In situ RT-PCR stain: This method is described in Nuovo et al., Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 17:683-690 (1993) and Komminoth et al., Pathol. Res. Pract. 190:1017-1025 (1994). Briefly, the RT-PCR reaction is performed on fixed tissue sections by incorporating labeled nucleotides to the PCR reaction. The reaction is carried on using a specific in situ RT-PCR apparatus such as the laser-capture microdissection PixCell I LCM system available from Arcturus Engineering (Mountainview, Calif.).

Determination of an activity level of the polypeptide of the present disclosure (e.g., LOXL2) in a colon tumor tissue may be effected using suitable substrates in a cytochemical stain and/or in vitro activity assays.

Cytochemical stain: According to this method, a chromogenic substrate is applied on the colon tumor tissue containing an active enzyme (e.g., LOXL2). The enzyme catalyzes a reaction in which the substrate is decomposed to produce a chromogenic product visible by a light or a fluorescent microscope.

In vitro activity assays: In these methods the activity of a particular enzyme is measured in a protein mixture extracted from the tissue of interest (e.g., a colon tumor tissue). The activity can be measured in a spectrophotometer well using colorimetric methods (see for example, Wande et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 1997, 94: 12817-12822 (1997)) or can be measured in a non-denaturing acrylamide gel (i.e., activity gel). Following electrophoresis the gel is soaked in a solution containing a substrate and colorimetric reagents. The resulting stained band corresponds to the enzymatic activity of the polypeptide of interest (e.g., LOXL2). If well calibrated and within the linear range of response, the amount of enzyme present in the sample is proportional to the amount of color produced. An enzyme standard is generally employed to improve quantitative accuracy.

Once the tissue level and/or the activity level of the polypeptide (or mRNA) of the present disclosure (e.g., LOXL2) is determined in the colon tumor tissue the malignancy of the tumor is assessed by comparing the expression level and/or activity in the colon tumor tissue to that of a normal colon tissue.

It will be appreciated that the normal colon tissue may be obtained from a biopsy and/or a surgery of a colon tissue obtained form a healthy individual. Alternatively, the normal colon tissue can be obtained from an unaffected segment of the colon of the same individual. Methods of determining the status of a normal colon tissue are known to skilled in the art and include for example, a morphological evaluation of tissue sections.

Once malignancy of colon cancer is determined as described above, tissue level and/or activity level of the polypeptide (or mRNA thereof) of the present disclosure can also be utilized to stage the colon tumor and to thereby predict the prognosis of an individual diagnosed with colon cancer.

Such staging can be effected by assessing the tissue level and/or activity level of the polypeptide and correlating it to results obtained from colon cancer tissue at various stages (obtainable through pathological evaluation of colon tumors). It will be appreciated that such accurate and rapid staging will enable accurate and rapid prognosis of an individual afflicted with colon cancer and timely administration of suitable treatment regimen.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent to one of skill in the art. It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. Additionally, each of the various embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below finds experimental support in the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Generally, the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory procedures utilized in the present disclosure include molecular, biochemical, microbiological and recombinant DNA techniques. Such techniques are thoroughly explained in the literature. See, for example, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, (1989); Ausubel (Ed.), Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volumes I-III, John Wiley and Sons, Baltimore, Md. (1994); Perbal, A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1988); Watson et al., Recombinant DNA, Scientific American Books, New York; Birren et al. (Eds.), Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual Series, Vols. 1-4, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York (1998); methodologies as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,666,828; 4,683,202; 4,801,531; 5,192,659 and 5,272,057; Cellis (Ed.), Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook, Volumes I-III, (1994); Coligan (Ed), Current Protocols in Immunology, Volumes I-III (1994); Stites et al. (Eds.), Basic and Clinical Immunology (8th Edition), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn. (1994); Mishell and Shiigi (Eds.), Selected Methods in Cellular Immunology, W. H. Freeman and Co., New York (1980); available immunoassays are extensively described in the patent and scientific literature, see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,791,932; 3,839,153; 3,850,752; 3,850,578; 3,853,987; 3,867,517; 3,879,262; 3,901,654; 3,935,074; 3,984,533; 3,996,345; 4,034,074; 4,098,876; 4,879,219; 5,011,771 and 5,281,521; Gait (Ed), Oligonucleotide Synthesis, (1984); Hames and Higgins (Eds.), Nucleic Acid Hybridization, (1985); Hames and Higgins (Eds.), Transcription and Translation, (1984); Freshney (Ed), Animal Cell Culture, (1986); Immobilized Cells and Enzymes, IRL Press (1986); and Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 1-317, Academic Press; PCR Protocols: A Guide To Methods And Applications, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990); Marshak et al., Strategies for Protein Purification and Characterization—A Laboratory Course Manual, CSHL Press (1996).

Example 1 ShRNA Against LOXL2 Inhibits Tumor Cell Invasiveness

Materials and Methods

Lentiviral expression plasmids containing several candidate DNA sequences encoding candidate shRNA species directed against LOXL2 and a DNA encoding a gene that confers resistance to the selective agent puromycin were bought by us from Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.) (FIG. 1). Lentiviruses containing these candidate cDNAs were produced in the HEK293-T packaging cell line by transfection of the plasmids into the cells along with the packaging vector pCMVdR8.91, and a plasmid encoding the vesicular stomatitis virus coat envelope pMD2-VSVG (5 μg). Recombinant replication defective lentiviruses were collected from the conditioned medium of the packaging cells and used to infect target tumor cells. The tumor invasion assay is illustrated in FIG. 2. Tumor cells are seeded between two layers of collagen in a monolayer, which represents the tumor mass. The cells invade over time the adjacent layers of collagen. The number of invading cells to various depths in microscopic fields is counted automatically using the Image-Pro morphometric analysis software.

Results

The different lentiviruses carrying the different candidate DNA species encoding the different shRNAs were screened for their ability to inhibit the expression of LOXL2. None of these cDNA species has any homology to the sequences of other members of the lysyl-oxidase family of genes. Two of these cDNA species were found to encode shRNA species that inhibit the expression of LOXL2 at the mRNA and protein level. The DNA sequence encoding the first shRNA is GAAGGAGACATCCAGAAGAAT (sh.LOXL2.197 or si-197; SEQ ID NO: 20) and the second has the sequence CGATTACTCCAACAACATCAT (sh.LOXL2.195, or si-195; SEQ ID NO: 21). Of these two, si-195 is believed to be a slightly more potent inhibitor (FIG. 3A).

The invasive/metastatic phenotype is associated in many instances with a transition from an epithelial to a mesenchymal morphology (EMT). Expression of the shRNA species in the human derived tumorigenic cell lines induced a dramatic shift in morphology from a mesenchymal to an epithelial morphology (FIG. 4).

In order to assess the effects of the shRNA species on the invasiveness of the cells, tumor cells injected with control lentiviruses or tumor cells infected with the lentiviruses encoding the si-195 shRNA were seeded between two layers of collagen and their ability to invade the collagen above and below the monolayer of cells assessed. It can be seen that expression of the si-195 shRNA substantially inhibited the invasiveness of the cells into the collagen layers above and below the original monolayer of cells (FIG. 5).

Example 2 LOXL2 is Overexpressed in Primary Alveolar Proteinosis

Primary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is characterized by over-secretion of lung surfactant, and is a problematic condition of unknown etiology, which presents difficulties for both diagnosis and effective treatment.

Expression of LOXL2 and LOXL3 was assessed in lungs of normal and PAP patients. FIG. 6 shows overexpression of LOXL2 in pulmonary endothelial cells in PAP, while LOXL3 is expressed in the smooth muscle.

Example 3 LOXL2 shRNA Promotes MET in Malignant Human Cells

LOXL2-induced EMT in three types of malignant human cells, 10HT1080, MDA-MB-231, or Yu/PAC2 cells. 2×10⁵ cells, were seeded in 35 mm dishes. The cells were infected with lentivirus directing expression of LOXL2 shRNA, shRNA.Loxl2.195 or control shRNA (FIG. 7) according to the vendor protocol (Sigma). Phalloidin staining of cells was performed by fixing cells in 4% paraformaldehyde. The cells were then permeabilised with 0.05% saponin before being stained with rhodamine-phalloidin (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.) (FIG. 7). Cells treated with shRNA.Loxl2.195 appeared to be in mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) states.

Calcium Phosphate Transfections:

Calcium phosphate transfections were performed for retroviral production. Generally, the plates were pre-coated with 0.2% sterilized Gelatin to ensure better adherence of the cells during all phases of the protocol. For 100 mm plate ˜2.5-3.0×10⁶ cells were seeded for 293, 293T cells and 3.2-3.5×10⁶ cells for ΦNX-A cells 18-24 hrs prior to transfection. For 150 min plates ˜6.0×10⁶ 293, 293T or ΦNX-A cells were seeded.

Cells were ˜60% confluent at the time of transfection. For 100 mm plates, ˜10 μg DNA, ˜438 μl H2O (depending on volume of DNA), 61 μl 2M CaCl₂ (total volume of H₂O/DNA/CaCl₂ mixture: 500 μl) was mixed in a microfuge tube. CaCl₂ was not added until the precipitates were ready to be prepared. For 150 mm plates, 30 μg DNA, ˜878 μl H2O (depending on volume of DNA), 122 μl 2M CaCl₂ (total volume of H₂0/DNA/CaCl₂ mixture: 1000 μl) was used.

Lentiviral Production

For lentiviral production in 293 or 293T cells by Triple DNA co-transfection or to VSVg coat moloney viruses, using 100 mm plates, ˜10 μg of three DNAs consisting of 5 μg of transfer vector, 3-4 μg of structural protein vector and 1-2 μg of pCI(VSVg) envelope vector was used. For 150 mm plates, ˜30 μg of three DNAs (16 μg of lenti-transfer vector, 12 μg of Δ8.2 structural vector and 3 μg of pCI(VSVg) envelope vector). If the transfer vector does not have a GFP gene a GFP expression vector was usually included as ˜5% of the total DNA, to know that the relative efficiency of the transfection (at the time of viral harvesting).

500 μl of 2×HBS (50 mM Hepes, 10 mM KCl, 12 mM Dextrose, 280 mM NaCl, 1.5 mM Na₂HPO₄×7H₂0) was added to the H₂O/DNA/CaCl₂ mixtures (100 mm plates) or 1000 μl (for 150 mm plates) with constant bubbling of the latter mixtures in either microcentrifuge tubes (if precipitates are 0.5 ml of less) or 14 ml polypropylene tubes (if precipitates are 1-3 ml each) or into 15 ml polypropylene tubes. Then the CaCl₂ to the H₂O/DNA mixtures were added but to no more than four tubes at a time. The precipitates were then left at room temperature for 0-10 min.

Cells were in 9 ml of media (100 mm plates) or 18 ml media (150 mm plates). Excess media was removed leaving appropriate volumes in each size plate. Chloroquine was added to each plate to a final concentration of 25 μM.

The 1 ml H₂O/DNA/CaCl₂/2×HBS precipitates were gently added to the cells. Microscopic examination should reveal very fine black particles.

Plates were put in a 37° C., 5% CO₂ incubator. To ensure that the precipitates were evenly distributed plates were swirled gently by hand ˜two times over the first 20-30 min of incubation.

5-8 hrs post-transfection the media was changed with 10 ml fresh GM (DMEM, 1% Penn/Strep, 1% glutamine, 10% FBS) for 100 mm plates and 22 ml for 150 mm plates. 293 cells are more sensitive to chloroquine than ΦNX cells so the media was changed no longer than 5-7 hr post-transfection.

24 hrs post-transfection the GM was changed to 6.5-7 ml for the viral harvest (100 mm plates) or 16-17 ml (150 mm plates). 6 hours prior to harvesting plates were moved to a 32° C., 5% CO₂ incubator. The supernatants were centrifuged at 2000 RPM for 5 minutes to remove any cellular debris or were filtered thru a 0.45 micron filter.

Moloney and Lenti Retroviral Infections (Spinoculation Protocol)

To boost viral infection, adherent and suspension cells in tissue culture plate carriers can be spin infected at 2000-2400 RPM for 45-60 minutes at 30-32° C. Cells were infected at a high MOI with undiluted virus in 12, 24 or 6 well plates (generally using no more than 50-100×10³ cells per well of a 6 well plate) in the presence of 8 μg/ml of polybrine. The cells were infected with 0.5-1.0 ml of viral supernatant per well of a 24 well plate, 1 ml per well of a 12 well plate and 2.0 ml/well of a 6 well plate. Viral supernatants from −80° C. freezer were thawed at room temperature and then added to cells along with the polybrine. For suspension cells, a counted number of cells were resuspended directly in the undiluted viral supernatant. The plate was sealed with parafilm all around to avoid evaporation and pH changes in the media during the spinoculation. After the first ‘Spinoculation’ the parafilm is removed from the plates and the viral supernatants are replaced with a fresh aliquot of virus and polybrine (thawed virus can be kept at room temperature during the first 45 minute spin) for a second equivalent spin or even a third spin (depending on the tolerance of the cells to centrifugation). For most cells, cells were usually spun twice (45 min each spin). For suspension cells, an additional equal volume of fresh viral supernatant was added to each well for a second spin. The parafilm was removed from the plates and without removing the viral supernatant, and continued to incubate at 32° C. in a CO₂ incubator for up to a total of 4-6 hr from the time of the first spinoculation (if three spins of 45 min. each was performed, the incubation with the last aliquot of virus was performed for another 2-3 hrs at 32° C.). The regular growth media was changed and the cells were incubated at 37° C. for 2 days prior to examining cells for GFP fluorescence. Drug selections were commenced 48 hrs post infection. If cells overgrew before reaching 48 hr, they were divided into more wells with regular growth media.

Example 4 LOXL2 shRNA Decreases Primary Tumor Development

Five million MDA-MB-231 cells were infected with control shRNA encoding lentiviruses or with lentiviral vector expressing the 195 LOXL2 directed shRNA, shRNA.Loxl2.195 (si-LOXL2). Infected cells were selected prior to the injection with puromycin (2 micrograms/nil). Two days before injection, LOXL2 expression was determined in control vs shRNA.Loxl2.195 infected cells and the inhibition was about 65% based upon densitometry of Western blot (direct reading of fluorescence from the blot). The rate of proliferation of control vs shRNA.Loxl2.195 infected cells in vitro was similar. The infected cells were injected into the mammary fat pads of balb/c nu/nu female mice. Tumor volume was measured 6, 11, 14, 18, 22, 25, and 27 days after injection. (FIG. 8A) Tumor development was decreased in mice injected with MDA-231 si-control compared to mice injected with MDA-231 si-Loxl2 cells. (FIG. 8A, B)

Example 5 Genes in MCF7 Cells Affected by LOXL2 Overexpression or Inhibition

MCF7 cells were transfected with expression vector to overexpress LOXL2 (clone 12 and 14), infected with control lentiviral vector containing a non-related shRNA (WT), or infected with a mutant of LOXL2 that is enzymatically inactive due to a mutation in its LTQ motif (Y689F). Gene expression was measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RT-PCR was performed using standard protocols. Increase in expression was identified in a number of genes when LOXL2 was overexpressed (FIG. 9A)

Cells were infected with lentiviral shRNA vector 195. Cells were selected with puromycin and LOXL2 expression monitored by Western blot. RNA was isolated and RT-PCR was performed. PCR conditions using LOXL2 specific primers was 30 cycles of 55, 72, 95° C., 1 min. each (FIG. 9B)

Example 6 LOXL2 Expression is Enhanced by Hypoxia

Cells were incubated in a hypoxia chamber at 37° C. at 1.5% O₂ for 24 h. A control was incubated in normoxic conditions (regular incubator). RNA was prepared from the A549 cells and amplified by RT-PCR (30 cycles of 55, 72, 95° C., 1 min. each). LOXL2 expression is increased under hypoxic conditions (FIG. 10A)

LOXL2 levels were assessed by Western blot. Cells were stimulated for the indicated times with the indicated concentration of CoCl₂ (FIG. 10B) Equal concentrations of cell lysate was prepared with lysis buffer containing 0.1% DOC and 1% NP40 with protease inhibitors and 10 mM Hepes buffer, pH-7.2. Cell lysates were separated on an 8%-10% gradient SDS/PAGE gel, blotted and probed with anti-LOXL2 antibodies. Membranes were stripped and reprobed with an antibody directed against β-actin to verify equal loading.

Example 7 Human Umbilical Vein Derived Endothelial Cells Contain Cell Surface Bound LOXL2 Receptor

Four different cell lines, HUVEC, LE2, HMEC, and Balb, were tested for their specific binding to LOXL2 by measuring using iodinated LOXL2. LOXL2 was iodinated and added to each well at a final concentration of 0.35 μg/ml. Competition was done with unlabeled LOXL2 (3.5 μg/ml) (FIG. 11A).

Wells were coated with gelatin, laminin or fibronectin to test for their ability to bind LOXLl2. LOXL2 was iodinated and added to each well at a final concentration of 0.35 μg/ml. Competition was done with unlabeled LOXL2 (3.5 μg/ml). No specific binding was determined (FIG. 11B) indicating binding observed in FIG. 11A was not caused by binding to these ECM components.

The same binding conditions as described in FIG. 11A above but in the absence or addition of 100 ug/ml heparin or after prior digestion with heparinase. Neither absence nor addition of heparin of binding affects LOXL2 binding. (FIG. 11C).

Example 8 LOXL2 and LOXL3 are Expressed in Neuronal Cells

Formalin fixed paraffin embedded 5 um sections from normal brain cortex were examined by in situ hybridization. (FIG. 12)

Preparation of DIG-Labeled RNA probe

Digoxygenine (DIG-11-UTP)-labeled RNA probes were prepared in either sense or antisense orientation. The probes were synthesized by run-off in vitro transcription using T7 RNA polymerase and the Dig/Genius RNA labeling kit (Roche Boheringer-Manheim). Probes were generated by PCR reaction from human LOX, LOXL1, LOXL2, and LOXL3 cDNAs corresponding to nucleotides (starting from the first ATG) 164-560 for LOX, 668-1093 for LOXL1, 403-1102 for LOXL2, and 479-1913 for LOXL3. The primers were specific for each probe and carried restriction enzymes for cloning to the pBluescript (KS, SK) vector. The primers were:

hLOX: (SEQ ID NO: 27) 5′ (EcoRI) CGCCGGAATTCGCTCACAGTACCAGCCTCAG (SEQ ID NO: 28) 3′ (PstI) CCAAAACTGCAGGTAGTAGTTGTAATAAGGGT hLOXL1: (SEQ ID NO: 29) 5′ (EcoRI) CGCCGGAATTCGGTCATCTACCCCTACCAGC (SEQ ID NO: 30) 3′ (XbaI) CTAGTCTAGAACATAGTTGGGGTCTGGGAC

hLOXL2: LOXL2/pCDNA3.1 hygro was digested with EcoRA-NotI and fragment was cloned

hLOXL3: LOXL3/pCDNA3.1 hygro was digested with Xho-BglII and fragment was cloned.

The fragments were cloned into pBluescript in “KS” or “SK” orientation in order to generate “sense” or “antisense” probes.

The reaction mixture for problem labeling contained: 1 ug of DNA (LOXL2, LOX, LOXL1, or LOXL3 in pBluescript), 10× reaction buffer (Boehringer-Mannheim T7-RNA polymerase kit), 100 mM DTT (Sigma), 10×Dig-labeled dNTPs (Boehringer-Manneheim, Cat. No. 1175025), RNAse inhibitor (Promega, 15 units per reaction), 10×T7-RNA polymerase, and DEPC (diethyl pyrocarbonate)-treated water to complete volume of 20 ul. The reaction was for 2 hours at 37° C.

The reaction was stopped by addition of 0.8 ul EDTA. The Dig-labeled RNA probe was then precipitated by the addition of 1 μl of 20 mg/ml glycogen, 2 ul 4M LiCl, and 55 ul chilled ethanol. The solution was mixed well and incubated overnight at −70° C. The probe was pelleted by centrifugation for 15 minutes at 4° C. at 13000 g. The precipitate was washed with cold 70% ethanol and spun again for 5 minutes at 4° C. at 13000 g. The pellet was dried and resuspended in 100 ul DEPC treated DDW (distilled deionized water). Four μl of probe was separated on regulated 1% TAE agarose gel with 0.005% ethidium bromide to determine RNA probe formation. Final probe concentration for hybridization was 1 ug/ml.

Pre-Treatment of Slides

Formaline-fixed paraffin-embedded 5 um tissue sections were deparaffinized by three washes of 5-10 min. each with 100% xylene. The sections were rehydrated through a series of 100%, 95%, 70%, and 30% ethanol washes (5 min. incubation in each solution) at room temperature. The slides were then washed twice with DEPC treated water for 2 min. and then treated with 0.2M HCl for 10 min to denature proteins. The sections were then washed twice with PBS and washed twice with water and subsequently digested with Proteinase-K (20 ug/ml in TE, 10 min at room temperature). The reaction was stopped by two washes with DEPC treated water. The slides were then washed twice with PBS for 2 min.

Hybridization

Pre-hybridization was performed by incubation of slides for 2 hours at 45° C. with preheated (at 70° C.) hybridization solution (see below). The probe was diluted in the preheated hybridization solution to a final concentration of 1 μg/ml and denatured by incubation at 80° C. for 5 min and was chilled for 3 min in ice prior to addition to the slides. The slides were dried and the probes were added to the slides. The sections were covered with parafilm and incubated in a humidified chamber overnight at 45° C.

Post-Hybridization Washes and Incubation with Anti DIG Antibody

The slides were washed briefly with 2×SSPE at room temperature for 5 min. and then incubated with 0.2×SSPE at 50-55° C. for 1 hour. The slides were then washed by additional incubation with 0.2×SSPE at 50-55° C. for 1 hour and cooled to room temperature. After washing with PBS for 5 min. at room temperature, the slides were incubated with Buffer 2 (see below) for 45 min. at room temperature with gentle agitation. The slides were washed with BSA wash solution for 45 min. at room temperature with gentle shaking.

The anti-DIG antibody was diluted to final concentration of 1:1000-1:1500 in Buffer 2 and added to the slides (˜150 ul/slide). The slides were covered with parafilm and incubated in a humidified chamber overnight at 4° C.

The slides were then washed three times with BSA wash solution, for 5 min. each wash. The slides were then washed with Buffer 2 for 30 min at room temperature with gentle agitation.

Detection of Bound Anti-DIG Antibodies

The slides were incubated in Buffer 3 (see below) for 2 min. at room temperature without shaking. For colorimetric detection, 3 ul BCIP and 4.2 ul NBT were diluted in 2 ml of Buffer 3. The solution was added to the slides and incubated in the dark at room temperature for required time. The reaction was stopped by addition of Stop Buffer (see below). The slides were then washed with DDW and counter stained with Mayers Hematoxylin (1:10 in DDW for 5-7 sec). Finally the slides were washed with DDW and mounted with Mount Q and covered with coverslips.

Solutions

All solutions were prepared in DEPC treated water (0.1% DEPC in DDW for 18 hours and then autoclaved).

Prehybridization Solution: 50% formamide, 100 mM Tris (pH 7.6), 150 ug/ml tRNA, 1 mg/ml yeast total RNA, 10% Dextran sulfate, 300 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1% blocking reagant)

BSA Wash Solution: 1% BSA, 0.3% Triton X-100, 100 mM Tris (pH 7.6), 150 mM NaCl.

Buffer 1: 100 mM Tris (pH 7.6), 150 mM NaCl

Buffer 2: blocking reagent diluted to 2% in Buffer 1

Buffer 3: 100 mM Tris (pH 9.5), 100 mM NaCl, 50 mM MgCl₂

Stop Buffer: 100 mM Tris (pH 8.0), 1 mM EDTA

“GVA-Mount solution” from Zymed (Cat. No. 00-8000)

Although the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. 

1. An isolated polynucleotide, comprising: a first sequence comprising a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, a second sequence comprising a region of complementarity to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, wherein the region of complementarity is at least 15 bases in length, and a linking sequence that joins the first sequence to the second sequence, wherein the polynucleotide forms a hairpin loop structure having a double-stranded stem region of between 15 and 49 base pairs in length that comprises the region of complementarity, wherein ends of the double-stranded stem region are connected by the linking sequence.
 2. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the isolated polynucleotide is at least twice the length of SEQ ID NO.
 21. 3. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the linking sequence is between 4 and 30 bases in length.
 4. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the double-stranded stem region is between 19 and 35 base pairs in length.
 5. An expression vector comprising the polynucleotide of claim
 1. 6. A host cell comprising the expression vector of claim
 5. 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (a) a polynucleotide comprising a first sequence comprising a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, a second sequence comprising a region of complementarity to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, wherein the region of complementarity is at least 15 bases in length, and a linking sequence that joins said first sequence to said second sequence, wherein the polynucleotide forms a hairpin loop structure having a double-stranded stem region of between 15 and 49 base pairs in length that comprises the region of complementarity, wherein ends of the double-stranded stem region are connected by the linking sequence; and (b) a pharmaceutical excipient.
 8. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the first sequence is SEQ ID NO: 21 and the second sequence is the complement of SEQ ID NO:
 21. 9. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the double-stranded stem region is between 21 and 29 base pairs in length.
 10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the first sequence is SEQ ID NO: 21 and the second sequence is the complement of SEQ ID NO:
 21. 11. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the first sequence is SEQ ID NO:
 21. 12. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the linking sequence is between 4 and 23 base pairs in length.
 13. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: (a) the polynucleotide of claim 1; and, (b) a pharmaceutical excipient. 